ITANAGAR, 21 Aug: Donyi Polo Cricket Academy (DPCA) beat Nirjuli Cricket Club (NCC) by sixwickets in the 6th Arunachal Club T20 Championship at the AIOC ground here on Friday and became the first team to qualify for the semifinals.

Techi Doria led the charge with a well-composed 45 off 36 balls, while Jacob Takam contributed a quick 38 from 27 balls. Dado Tachung added valuable momentum with 31 off just 19 deliveries, including four sixes.

Batting first after winning the toss, NCC posted a competitive 167 runs in 20 overs, losing seven wickets.

For DPCA, MD Akib was the standout performer with the ball as well as with the bat. He claimed three wickets, giving away 27 runs in four overs, putting the brakes on NCC's scoring during the crucial stages of the innings. Yowa Topu also took two wickets.

Chasing 168, DPCA came out with an attacking mood and turned the chase into a spectacular batting display. The spotlight belonged entirely to MD Akib, who produced one of the most breathtaking knocks of the championship so far.

He made an unbeaten 109 runs from just 47 balls, hitting 12 boundaries and seven towering sixes at a staggering strike rate of 231.91. Akib also became the first player of this edition to score a century, reaching the milestone in just 39 balls.

Supporting Akib was Toko Techir, who remained unbeaten on 22. DPCA's chase also received useful contributions from Gibson Cheda, who scored 21 from 19 balls.

DPCA eventually reached 170/4 in just 16.2 overs, finishing the chase with 22 balls to spare and sealing a comprehensive six-wicket victory.