ACES A cricketers have stepped up their pursuit of the 2025 Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) DC Super League title, snatching a hard-fought one-wicket defeat of Gymkhana in Dar es Salaam recently.

It was hardly an easy tie for Aces A, if the outcome is anything to go by, as the squad was compelled to work hard to come out with the crucial win.

Aces A won the toss in the Group B encounter and elected to bowl- restricting Gymkhana to 187/10 in 43.2 overs.

Muthyam Pullamala ended as the batsman with a standout showing for Gymkhana - posting 56 runs.

He had Gymkhana reaching 186 with nine wickets taken when he was dismissed in the 42nd over.

There was, moreover, a significant contribution from Hamisi Lyimo, whose 38 runs were achieved at a strike rate of 118.75.

Gymkhana were generously backed by 32 extras leaked by Aces A's bowlers.

They consisted of four byes, two no-balls, one leg bye, and 25 wides.

The Aces A bowling unit, led by Vishwas Nimavat, should be credited for ensuring the Gymkhana batsmen end their innings with a modest total.

Nimavat was eventually the Aces A player with the best bowling figures, ending with 4-25 and a 2.50 economy rate.

There was, moreover, a stupendous showing by fellow bowlers, medium pacer Kibwana Salum and youthful Hamza Ally, who made matters worse for Gymkhana's batting unit.

Salum grabbed 2-23 (two maiden overs) and a 2.56 economy rate, whereas Hamza secured 2-27 and a 3.86 economy rate.

Chasing 188 runs to secure the win, Aces A, led by veteran Azim Thakur, had to play their hearts out to garner 188/9 in 32.4 overs and dash Gymkhana's hopes away.

Opener Jeremiah Makanya had great form at the crease, successfully orchestrating Aces A's efforts to reach the target.

Makanya was the batsman with the best figures, grabbing 58 off 71.

Aisah Chibanda pushed Aces A to within reach of the successful chase when he grabbed 32 runs.

There were further two-digit figures by Kashif Anwar (18 runs) and Ally Hassan (19 runs), which were equally worthy knocks.

Even though Gymkhana's bowling unit, led by Harsheel Shah, staged a spirited showing, its efforts ended in vain.

Shah posted 2-9, and fellow bowlers Arman Khan (2-46) and Abdulrazak Mohamed (2-42) also ended with encouraging figures for the bowling side despite the unexpected outcome.

Aga Khan SC's cricketers are leading the rest of the tournament's Group A contenders after amassing the 2.5786 Net Run Rate from four ties.

The Group A pacesetters have garnered a victory in three outings and a loss in one game.

The in-form Delaware Upanga SC-A is hot on the Group A table-toppers heels, even though the former also has three wins and one defeat.

The second-placed outfit boasts a 2.0774 Net Run Rate, which has brought the difference between the top two teams.

Third-placed Pak Stars A, in its four ties, notched a 1.6141 Net Run Rate having won three fixtures and suffered a loss in one tie.

Patel Brotherhood A comes fourth, amassing a -2.7327 Net Run Rate- with the side garnering a victory in one game and a loss in three games.

Bottom-placed Dar Indian Titans are without a win in four encounters, settling for a -4.1767 Net Run Rate.

The uncompromising Caravans were, heading to last weekend, topping Group B with a 4.2967 Net Run Rate, having won all four clashes they have featured in.

Aces A was, as of last weekend, positioned second with two victories and a defeat- which have handed the side the -1.7000 Net Run Rate.

Lions A comes third- collecting the -0.1818 Net Run Rate following a victory in one tie and a loss in two clashes.

Gymkhana is sitting fourth without a victory in two games- posting an inferior Net Run Rate of -2.9319.

Strikers, who are as well yet to taste a victory, have a -12.2935 Net Run Rate from two ties to stay at the bottom of Group B.

The 2024 TCA DC Super League, a TCA officer stated, features the top cricket teams in Tanzania, put into two groups.

Group A teams are Aga Khan SC, Dar Indian Titans, Delaware Upanga SC- A, Pak Stars A, and Patel Brotherhood A.

Aces A, Caravans, Gymkhana, Lions A, and Strikers have been placed in Group B.

 The showdown began on January 4, 2025, marking an exciting start to Tanzania’s premier cricket competition.