CARAVANS cricketers would be all out to inch closer to clinching the 2024 Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) Delaware Champions League title as they come up against Pak Stars A in the last-four clash in Dar es Salaam today.

The Jitin Singh-led Caravans garnered progression to the showdown's last-four phase after commanding a 52-run defeat of Lions A in the knockout tie, termed Eliminator, at the Leaders Club venue early this week.

The clash witnessed Caravans cricketers notch 155/7 in the allotted 20 overs once they took the crease first.

Seasoned cricketers Akhil Anil, Amal Rajeevan, and Kassim Nassor put stellar batting showing at the crease to play a crucial role in the acquisition of the score.

Rajeevan went in after an early dismissal of the opener, Issa Safari, and sought to have Caravans getting off to a confident beginning, having notched 19 runs.

Safari's short stay came about as he was trapped for leg before wicket (lbw) by medium pacer Goodluck Andrew of Lions A- leaving Caravans with just seven runs after 1.1 overs.

Rajeevan put up several great shots and pushed Caravans to 37-3 when the cricketer left the crease in the fifth over.

Anil, the cricketer who had the best figures when Caravans batted, ended with 53 runs in his impressive outing.

The seasoned cricketer's solid showing saw Caravans reach 123-4 upon his dismissal with 23 balls remaining.

Nassor was equally in great form at the crease, blasting 46 runs that significantly boosted Caravans' total.

The remainder of Caravans batsmen failed to live up to expectations having been dismissed after short spells 

Youthful performer Johnson Nyambo ended two runs short of a two-digit figure and cracked a six in his short spell.

The batting squad failed to stop the skid following Nyambo's exit, with the rest of the batsmen having struggled to rake up meaningful figures.

Nineteen extra runs made up of four byes, 10 leg byes, and five wides, were somehow a boost to Caravans' total.

Lions A's Umar Shaikh ended as the only member of the bowling unit boasting good figures, having taken 2-28 and a 7.00 economy rate.

Despite facing an achievable target of 156 runs, Lions A cricketers faltered when they took the crease, ending the innings with 103/9 in 20 overs.

The top-order should be credited for the acquisition of the total, as it had Lions A vainly battling to outperform their opponents.

Seasoned cricketer Kashif Ahmad, who opened the innings, had the best day at the crease, as the performer's knocks were pivotal to Lions A's triple-digit figure.

The other opener, Ejaz Aziz, did not last long at the crease, leaving with 11 runs to his name.

Skipper Mohamed Salim battled to boost Lions A's figure having posted 17 runs.

In his brief stay, Salim saw Lions A reach 51-2 upon his exit in the eighth over.

Ahmad ended nine runs short of a half-century in his stay at the crease- with his spell helping Lions A reach 80-3 when he got out in the 12th over.

Shaikh made his way back with nine runs as Lions A found it difficult to counter the pressure from Caravans' bowlers.

Youthful cricketer, Rehman Atif battled to mount a late surge, which was, however, foiled by Caravans' bowling unit, with the young cricketer ending with 11 runs.

Seasoned spinner Nassor (3-14) and Anil (3-24) masterminded Caravans bowling surge, which proved decisive.

Winners of the last-four encounter between Caravans and Pak Stars A will confront Aces A in the showdown's final on Sunday.

Aces A cruised to the final based on securing the top place in the standings upon the conclusion of the round-robin phase.

The TCA-organized tournament, involving Division A clubs, is one of the high-profile club events seeking to efficiently develop cricket locally.

Strikers, Pak Stars A, Delaware Upanga SC A, Aga Khan SC, Caravans, Aces A, and Lions A are the participating teams in the 2024 TCA Delaware Champions League.