AUROBINDO AKSC stretched its winning run in the 2024 Petrofuel TCA Caravans T20 Cup tournament, beating Alliance Caravans by eight runs in the showdown's Super 4 stage match in Dar es Salaam last weekend.

In what happened to be a compelling prequel to the tournament's final which will bring together the two clubs, Alliance Caravans clashed with Aurobindo AKSC in the Super 4 stage's last tie at the Leaders Club ground in Kinondoni.

Both teams had already secured their spots in the championship decider, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter to gauge each other’s strengths and strategies.

Alliance Caravans won the toss and elected to field first, aiming to gain early momentum with ferocious bowling. 

Aurobindo AKSC’s opener Abhik Patwa set a brisk pace with a quickfire 30 runs off 16 balls, consolidating his lead atop the Colourflex Orange Cap standings with 360 runs in the tournament.

However, Ajith Augastin was the batting squad's cricketer who stole the spotlight, frustrating Alliance Caravans’ bowlers with a composed 61 runs off 42 deliveries.

Despite a late flurry of wickets, Aurobindo AKSC's batting unit managed a competitive total of 166 runs before being bundled out on the last ball of the innings.

Alliance Caravans' Ganesh Giri starred with the ball, claiming an impressive five-wicket haul in three overs while conceding just 19 runs. 

Jerry Mathew’s showing with the ball, which witnessed the cricketer grabbing a wicket in four overs, further solidified his position as the Automark Purple Cap's standing leader with 15 wickets in the tournament. 

In response, Alliance Caravans - chasing 167 runs to come out victorious - faced a sluggish start, struggling to match the required run rate early on.

Skipper Akhil Anil (53 runs not out off 31 balls) and Jerry Mathew (26 runs off 15 balls) provided a glimmer of hope with a crucial 61-run partnership.

However, Mathew's dismissal proved pivotal as Alliance Caravans could eventually manage 158/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Captain Jitin Singh (24 runs), Amal Rajeevan (15 runs), and opener Prakash Nair (13 runs) also made their presence count with two-digit figures, much as they ended on the clash's losing team.

Aurobindo AKSC's cricketers, at the end of it all, celebrated a hard-fought eight-run victory, showcasing their resilience and determination ahead of the showdown's final.

With these results setting the stage, all eyes are now on the two teams' upcoming clash in the tournament's final slated for Sunday.

Aurobindo AKSC's cricketers will aim to secure their third victory over Alliance Caravans in this tournament when the two teams meet in the final.

Alliance Caravans will seek a decisive performance when it matters the most.

Augastin of Aurobindo AKSC deservedly earned the Ras Logistics Man of the Match award for his game-changing batting performance.

The cricketer's teammate Kartik Syal’s impactful bowling display was recognized as the Medinova Moment of the Match.

The anticipation mounts as these two formidable sides prepare to take on each other for ultimate glory in the 2024 Petrofuel TCA Caravans T20 Cup final.

Fans, the tournament's organizers stated, can expect a riveting contest as the battle for supremacy unfolds on Sunday.

The tournament is an annual T20 cricket showdown organized by Caravans Cricket Club, seeking to raise the game's standard domestically.

Alliance Caravans, Aurobindo AKSC, Delaware Upanga SC, Balakrishna Foundation Aces, Flashnet Strikers, Park Mobile Lions, Harab Motors Pak Stars, Econo Lodge Lions, Azania Bank Pak Stars, and Generics Gymkhana are taking part in the showdown.

Petrofuel is the title sponsor of the Petrofuel TCA Caravans T20 Cup tournament. Other sponsors of this tournament include Alliance Insurance, Ras Logsitics, Medinova Healthcare, Automark, Pepsi, Ashton Media, MFI-Vertiv, Jiuzhou, SmarDTV, Intek-Korea, ASAS, Colourflex, and Delaware.

Aurobindo, Balakrishna Foundation, Park Mobile, Harab Motors, Flashnet, Generics, Econo Lodge, Azania Bank, Horizon Teleports, TATA, The Works, MO Bajaj, and Seacliff Hotel are also the showpiece's sponsors.