LIONS A cricketers have garnered their first victory in the 2024 Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) DC Super League, trouncing Gymkhana by four wickets in Dar es Salaam early this week.

The ferocious bowling approach that Lions A had chosen proved to be fruitful as it had the team keeping their opponents in check.

Gymkhana batted first at the familiar backyard, Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club's venue, and ended up notching 105/10 in 35.3 overs.

Arman Khan and Harsheel Shah were the ones who stood out of the rest, with Khan ending up as the cricketer with the most runs for the club.

The top-order batsman, Khan, secured 27 runs, whereas Shah, also slotted in at the top order, posted 26 runs.

There were further two digits garnered by fellow batsmen- opener Gulraiz Hydari, who notched 15 runs, as well as Dharmin Parmar and Mohamed Yunus, with the cricketers scoring 12 runs and 11 runs.

Gymkhana's efforts to take control of their innings and eventually amass a bigger total suffered an early blow following a brief stay by skipper Amit Raghuvanshi.

The skipper - one of the side's most competent cricketers - could so far score five runs in his short stint, leaving his team at 22-2 once the performer returned to the pavilion after 8.4 overs.

Arman propelled his squad to 65-3 at the time the cricketer exited the crease in the 17th over.

Shah also battled to make his presence count with a series of well-executed knocks, which had the batsman propelling his team to 84-4 upon his dismissal in the 24th over.

Failure by the remainder of the club's batsmen to hold off a bowling attack by Lions A, which was led by Umar Shaikh, frustrated efforts by the former to set up a more convincing figure.

Muthyam Pullamala scored four runs in his effort to improve his team's figure.

Lions A's bowler Shaikh orchestrated his squad's successful plan to neutralize Gymkhana, grabbing 4-24.

Shaikh, a promising all-rounder, bowled 7.3 overs, posting an impressive 3.20 economy rate.

He was ably assisted by the other gifted, youthful cricketer, Augustine Mwamele, in mercilessly tormenting Gymkhana's batting unit.

Mwamele wound up with equally great bowling statistics- posting 3-12 and the 1.50 economy rate.

Needing 106 runs to garner the win, Lions A cricketers zealously went on to successfully secure the victory, notching 106/6 in 25.2 overs.

Team captain Mohamed Salim looked to have got back his batting prowess, having solidly led the quest for the victory after notching 30 runs.

The opening batsman hammered four boundaries and pushed his team's figure to 93-5 at the time the cricketer returned in the 16th over.

Mohamed Jawed ended up with 14 runs once the cricketer batted alongside Salim.

Two further two-digit figures were recorded by youthful batsmen Karim Kiseto and Shaikh as Lions A pressed for the win.

Kiseto made his way back with 12 runs, whereas Shaikh chipped in with 11 runs later on.

Eighteen extras leaked by Gymkhana's bowling unit, six byes, one leg bye, 10 wides, and one no-ball somewhat made it easier for Lions A to chase the former's total. 

Experienced spinner Tambwe Rashid ended with two wickets in eight overs, as was the case with fellow bowler Arman.

The duo's encouraging game, however, could hardly bail their squad out.

Lions A opened their campaign in the showdown on the wrong foot, given the cricketers went down to Caravans by three wickets on January 12.

Hosting the showdown is a continuation of TCA's efforts to develop the sport domestically.

The league, a TCA officer stated, has brought together the top cricket teams in Tanzania, put into two groups.

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

Group B clubs are: Caravans, Strikers, Aces A, Gymkhana, and Lions A.

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