AJAY Yadav led Delaware Upanga SC-A's scintillating bowling as they commanded a three-wicket victory over Aga Khan SC in the 2024 Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) DC Super League's recent clash in Dar es Salaam.

The Harsheed Chohan-led Aga Khan SC went in to bat first in the duel that was held at the Leaders Club venue and were bowled out for 192 runs in 48.3 overs of the 50-over showdown match.

A brief stay by promising opener Dhrumit Mehta happened to be a noticeable blow that Aga Khan SC faced in the first few balls.

Mehta- dismissed in the fourth over, ended up posting just five runs, leaving his teammates with a tricky duty as far as amassing a convincing figure was concerned.

Fellow opener Abhik Patwa managed to hold on for several more overs but could not repel the Delaware Upanga SC-A bowling challenge.

Patwa, an experienced batsman, ended up notching 12 runs and Aga Khan SC had reached 30-2 once the batsman made his way back in the ninth over.

Sivaraj Selvaraj, who registered 25 runs, and Jumanne Mohamed, who ended with 17 runs, sought to boost their squad's score.

There was later a setback for the batting side given a budding cricketer Laksh Bakrania made his way back without a run to his name.

Seif Athuman turned out to be the batsman with the significant showing for Aga Khan SC, given the cricketer was one run short of a half-century.

Athuman propelled the batting team to 162-8 once the hardworking cricketer made his way back after 42.2 overs.

Arslaan Premji, who posted 23 runs, and Riziki Kiseto, who secured 20 runs, moreover fought to push their squad's total to three digits.

Aga Khan SC's cricketers were, to some extent, buoyed by 24 extras given away by the Delaware Upanga SC-A bowling unit.

The extras were made up of six byes, one no-ball, 12 wides, and five leg byes.

Yadav orchestrated a ferocious bowling attack by Delaware Upanga SC-A, grabbing 3-24 and a 2.40 economy rate.

Vikram Rathore, who posted 2-20, and Rajendra, who took two wickets in 10 overs, moreover made matters worse for Aga Khan SC.

Needing 193 runs from 50 overs to come out victorious, the Delaware Upanga SC-A cricketers, led by Asuri Rajendra mounted a determined chase to secure the win, notching 193/7 in 48.2 overs.

It was not plain sailing for Delaware Upanga SC-A, given the batting unit was compelled to work hard and ultimately overcome Aga Khan SC's zealous bowling challenge.

Opener Rishen Patel and skipper Rajendra put on solid batting performances to propel Delaware Upanga SC-A to the win.

Patel turned out to be the batsman with the most runs for the eventual winners, having notched 63 runs.

He duly made up for a frustrating day his fellow opener Rathore had experienced via an exit for a duck.

Patel saw Delaware Upanga SC-A reach 155-6 once he got back in the 39th over.

Kush Pandya, Ramesh Alluri, and Maker Mukesh moreover chipped in with two digits to boost Delaware Upanga SC-A's pursuit of a triumphant chase.

Pandya notched 12 runs, Ramesh registered 11 runs, and Mukesh secured 19 runs for their squad.

Delaware Upanga SC-A needed just 16 runs to come out victorious once Yadav left the crease in the 43rd over, given the batting side was 177-7.

Skipper Rajendra, slotted in at the low order, staged a late surge, having garnered 38 runs not out to make certain of his squad's victory.

The skipper formed an unbeaten partnership with Omary Ramadhani, with Ramadhani, a youthful performer, chipping in with nine runs not out for the club.

Even though Delaware Upanga SC-A's bowlers Bakrania and Chohan fought vigorously, their efforts ended in vain.

Bakrania ended up garnering 2-42 and a 4.20 economy rate, whereas Chohan had better stats, chipping in with 2-25 and a 6.25 economy rate in four overs.

The league, as revealed by a TCA officer, features 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.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by TCA Chairman, Balakrishna Sreekumar, who highlighted the league’s significance in elevating the standard of cricket in Tanzania.

Sreekumar stated: "This league is not just about competition... it's about fostering talent, building camaraderie, and taking Tanzanian cricket to new heights."

The 2024 TCA DC Super League is off to a thrilling start, promising top-tier cricket action in the weeks to come.