North Zone Academy’s women produced a spirited late fightback to secure a tense 12-run victory over Brenda Solozano Cricket Academy (BSCA), earning their first win of the 2026 Trinidad and Tobago Women’s Cricket Association (TTWCA) T20 tournament.
In a rain-affected match reduced to 15 overs at the Brian Lara Recreation Ground in Santa Cruz, North Zone posted a modest 93 for four after being sent in.
Parbatee “Myo” Manickchand led the effort with a composed 23 off 19 balls, while Abena Nesbitt anchored the innings with an unbeaten 18 off 16.
Seriah Kawalsingh had earlier added impetus with a brisk 15 before a one-hour rain break, but the total appeared below par.
BSCA looked on course for victory as openers Tenille Smith and Geneisha Dodough combined for 61 off 57 balls, controlling the chase with few alarms.
However, the game turned sharply when Tennessee Sandy’s direct hit ran out Dodough for 18, breaking the stand.
Latisha Samuel then removed Smith for 36, shifting momentum decisively.
From there, Kawalsingh proved the difference.
Handing over the wicketkeeping duties, she returned to claim 2 for 7 in a decisive spell at the death.
North Zone tightened their grip, conceding just five runs in the final three overs while taking four wickets to seal the win.
Head coach Kenroy Williams was pleased with his team’s performance.
“The girls did go out and play well. They really stuck to the task and bowled really well today. It was a close game, but it was a good game. They showed the fight,” he said.
He was particularly pleased with the improvement in his team’s cricket in all departments.
“It is just for them to understand the game and how to play in different situations,” Williams said.
“We still have more to work on in training and to get them to understand how to play in pressure situations. T20 is a fast-paced game, and they have to adjust,” he added.
The result was particularly significant for the North Zone, which rebounded from an opening loss and played without injured star batter Naomi Ali.
Ali, who has been a revelation in 2026, was ruled out through a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury earlier in April, forcing her out of the Victoria CC contest.
“It is much better. It is coming along well, and hopefully I can play next week,” she said.
Ali echoed her coach’s feelings about the team’s performance.
“The performance was really great, without Jessica (Davis) and me. It started rough with the batting, but we came back with the bowling, so that was great,” she said.
North Zone’s match against Without Limits on 26 April, carded for Cedros, was postponed.
The women’s team will now take on the Marchin Patriots on 3 May at 1 pm.
Summarized scores: North Zone 93 for 4 in 15 overs (Parbatee Manickchand 23, Abena Nesbitt 18*, Seriah Kawalsingh 15; Emma Mangal 1/8, Divyanka John Budhoo 1/18, Alicia Lall 1/22) vs. BSCA 81 for 7 in 15 overs (Tenille Smith 36, Genesia Dodough 18; Seriah Kawalsingh 2/7, Latisha Samuel 1/9, Abena Nesbitt 1/14). North Zone won by 12 runs
