FIROZ Dahodwala put on a stellar bowling showing and guided Annadil Burhani to winning the 2024 TCA Dar 30 Overs Cup- Division B1 title with an eight-wicket defeat of Caravans C in the final last weekend.
The experienced cricketer, who took five wickets, teamed up with fellow bowlers Murtaza Shabbir (three wickets), and Alfred Daniel, who grabbed two wickets, and tormented Caravans C's batsmen, thwarting the performers' efforts to have an upper hand.
The Vineeth Chandran-led Caravans C started to bat in the game played at Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club's venue and was skittled for a mere 56 runs in 14.4 overs of the 30-over game.
The squad experienced a wobble in the early phase of the clash, as the top-order batsmen made their way back to the pavilion in quick succession.
None of the batsmen returned with two digits, as opener Prabhu Subramani scored six runs, whereas Nandakishan Pottachira, Omary Hilal and Nithin Thomas were out for duck.
The team sought to bounce back with a spirited showing by skipper Chandran, who notched 10 runs, and the eventual top run-getter, Sunil Adiyodi (18 runs).
They faced yet more blow brought about by the quick exits of Arjun Kumar and Sobin Joseph, who were also dismissed for duck, frustrating chances of ending with a convincing total.
A late surge put to show by youthful performer Kishwabi Ngozi, to some extent, improved Caravans C's total.
The cricketer notched 10 runs not out whilst cracking a six.
The batting team's score was somehow buoyed by nine extra runs leaked by Annadil Burhani's bowlers.
Firoz Dahodwala led Annadil Burhani's bowling onslaught, having ended with a five-wicket haul in 5.4 overs.
In his five-over stint, the cricketer, one of the long-serving cricketers in the outfit, gave away 24 runs and had a 4.24 economy rate.
Fellow bowlers Murtaza Shabbir (3-13 in three overs) and Alfred Daniel, who notched two wickets, were equally in great form and played an important part in frustrating Caravans C's efforts to register a bigger total.
Shabbir, who bowled three overs, leaked 13 runs and finished with a 4.33 economy rate.
Chasing 57 runs to secure victory, the Lukmanji-led Annadil Burhani cricketers hardly had trouble living up to expectations, having mounted a successful chase whilst losing two wickets in 14 overs.
They were unperturbed by the early exit of experienced opening batsman Murtaza Kardebhai who notched six runs.
The opening performer was caught by Caravans C's Ngozi from Omary Hilal's ball, leaving Annadil Burhani with 22 runs in six overs.
Lukmanji that opened the innings with Kardebhai proved his worth at the crease, showcasing solid batting and ensuring the squad gets down to a successful chase.
Mufaddal Seifuddin (13 runs not out, one boundary) forged a solid partnership with Aliasger Pongwe (15 runs not out, two boundaries) to put the game beyond Caravans C's reach.
Annadil Burhani cricketers' pursuit of a victory was made much easier, given their score was boosted by six extra runs leaked by Caravans C's bowlers.
Youthful player Hilal stood out of the rest of Caravans C's members of the bowling unit with his two wickets.
The cricketer who also features for national U-19 cricket team gave away 22 runs and finished with the 3.67 economy rate.
Strikers B outfit's Darpan Jobanputra won the Player of the Series prize and Caravans C's Hilal walked away with the tournament's Best Bowler prize.
Unisoft Rising Stars cricketer Mohamed Simba laid his hands on the Best Batsman prize and the final's Player of the Match prize went to Annadil Burhani's Dahodwala.
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