Hi
@hasi here the pictures: I had to open my model B again because in the excitement of rebuilding, I've inserted the command board upside-down and I've noticed only when I' was ready to scan a reel...
The cable is not twisted, but it may be twisted on the board, or simply the board could be mounted reversed compared to the command board. In any cases check the picture: one side of the cable is printed so you can buy a type-a and mount it in the same way. Let me know if the pics are showing enough for you to understand how to mount it
Besides: why didn't you try to cut short the damaged cable, strip gently with some sandpaper the new end, to expose the connectors and give it a try?
Good luck, Federico