GYMKHANA Cricket Club's cricketers have tightened their grip on the top place in Division B of the 2024 Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) Dar 20 Overs Cup's Group A, walloping Karibu Tanzanite DCC by 82 runs early this week.

The national cricket governing body has organized the showpiece, bringing together 12 teams, aiming at improving cricket's standard domestically.

The duel, which took place at Leaders Club ground in Dar es Salaam, saw Gymkhana conclude their turn with the bat with five balls to spare, scoring 145 runs all out, once they went in to bat first.

The Viraj Shukla-led Gymkhana faced a wobble early on in the form of an early exit of opening batsman Shadab Choughule, who returned with six runs to his name.

The opening batsman had time to clear the boundary once and was bowled by Karibu Tanzanite DCC's Moeez Imtiaz, leaving the batting squad with 10 runs after 15 balls.

The fellow opener, Nikila Nishanga, thereafter put a resolute game and steadied the ship after notching 41 runs whilst nailing three boundaries and two sixes. 

There were, moreover, notable batting exploits put to show by top-order batsmen Harsheel Shah and Arman Khan.

Harsheel, one of Gymkhana's long-serving, well-drilled players, ended with 22 runs - pushing the team's figure to 92 runs upon his dismissal in the 11th over.

Khan was also in good form with the bat as the cricketer recorded 23 runs for the batting team.

His stint came to an end after 29 balls when Karibu Tanzanite DCC's Assad Aziz went for a catch to send the Gymkhana batsman out off Imtiaz's ball.

Gymkhana's quest for an imposing figure was still on, much as the side dropped three wickets in the latter stages, thanks to solid knocks showcased by middle-order performer Hamisi Lyimo.

Lyimo had a great batting outing, making his way back to the pavilion with bat in hand following the batsman's 29 runs not out.

There was not much to write home about for the rest of the club's batsmen as the cricketers made their way back in quick succession.

Aziz boasted the best bowling figures for Karibu Tanzanite DCC, given the cricketer had a four-wicket haul for 25 runs in four overs.

He had an economy rate of 6.25 in his four-over stint and was the bowler who took a crucial wicket of Gymkhana's Nishanga.

Skipper Meet Jetha (2-28 in four overs) and Imtiaz (2-22 in four overs) moreover made their presence felt when Karibu Tanzanite DCC fielded, even though the bowling trio failed to frustrate Gymkhana's efforts.

Needing 146 runs from 20 overs to come out victorious, Karibu Tanzanite DCC lost steam, given they were skittled for 63 runs in 18.3 overs.

A meaningful batting display for the outfit was showcased by Bhavesh Govind and captain Jetha.

Govind turned out to be the batsman with the most runs for Karibu Tanzanite DCC- posting 16 runs.

Jetha was the other batsman with two digits having ended with 14 runs.

The remainder of Karibu Tanzanite DCC's batting unit could hardly live up to expectations, making their way back in quick succession.

Low-order player Deepak Joshi sought to showcase resoluteness with several good knocks only to end up two runs short of two digits.

Kamran Kazi (3-16 in four overs) and experienced spinner Tambwe Rashid (3-15 in four overs) orchestrated Gymkhana's bowling onslaught and thwarted Karibu Tanzanite DCC's chase.

Gymkhana's Nishanga was rightly adjudged the Man of the Match for his stellar batting showing.

Gymkhana cricketers are, for that matter, leading the tournament's Group A table with a 2.6375 Net Run Rate, emerging victorious in all four outings the squad has featured in.

Specialized K&P A is occupying second place- boasting a 0.7161 Net Run Rate from a win in three ties and one loss.

Estim A cricketers are positioned third on the table after notching a 0.3258 Net Run Rate- securing victory in three fixtures and loss in two ties.

Fourth-placed Aces B, now with a -0.9532 Net Run Rate, is still battling to become one of the title contenders. Such an outcome has come about following a victory in one game and a loss in three ties.

Karibu Tanzanite DCC is placed second from bottom, having secured a -1.1504 Net Run Rate after notching a win in one game and a loss in two encounters.

Bottom-placed Union Sports Club has notched an inferior Net Run Rate of -2.1383 from four ties.

It is, in this case, the only squad without a victory so far in the tournament's Group A.