TANGA School Combine cricketers put up a spirited showing to beat Dar es Salaam's Al-Muntazir U-17 by three runs in the Tri-Series encounter in Tanga recently.

The Angel Shayo-led Tanga School Combine amassed 74/5 in the match, which was reduced to 10 overs, once they won the toss and elected to bat. Skipper Shayo, Francis Samuel, and Wingu Mohamed ended up as the cricketers with a performance worth noting for the squad.

 The trio posted two digits, as Shayo was the top-run-getter with 26, Samuel garnered 15 runs, and Mohamed notched 11 runs.Shayo had Tanga School Combine moving to 58-3 upon his dismissal in the seventh over, and fellow cricketers battled hard, aiming at making the most of the few overs.

Al-Muntazir U-17's Pratham Lamba's 2-8, which had the cricketer posting a 4.00 economy rate, was the most noticeable performance when the squad fielded.Even though they had a modest target of 75 runs in sight, the Hassan Abbas-led Al-Muntazir U-17 could not live up to expectations having ended up scoring 71/1 in the scheduled 10 overs.

 Abbas ended up with the best batting figures in what turned out to be a fruitless chase, having posted 39 runs not out. The opener hammered three boundaries when he laid his hands on the bat, fighting to give his squad an edge.

 Fellow opener Parth Vasan's dismissal looked to have become a drawback, as far as Al-Muntazir U-17's chase was concerned, with the cricketer making his way back with 17 runs.Abbas then forged a second-wicket stand with Lamba, battling to catapult their side to victory, only to end up falling short of the required target.

 Lamba was two runs short of a two-digit figure, whilst boasting a not out showing. Al-Muntazir U-17 dropped their first wicket after 8.5 overs, with Vasan leaving the squad standing at 61-1.

 Much as Tanga School Combine's figure was achievable in the remaining balls, Al-Muntazir U-17's efforts could hardly overcome the opponents' tight bowling. It was hardly all doom for the Al-Muntazir youngsters, given they came out victoriously in two outings.

 Al-Muntazir U-17 had a good start to the series, having clobbered Tanga School Combine by 16 runs.The clash saw Al-Muntazir U-17 race to 136/7 in 20 overs after taking the crease first.

Lamba was the batsman with the best performance for Al-Muntazir U-17, having grabbed 31 runs. There was an encouraging showing from Abbas, in which the opener posted 17 runs, and Muhammadmeeraf Chishti boasted 17 runs not out.

 Vasan somewhat battled to make his presence felt with his 14 runs.Samuel ended up as the cricketer with the most impressive bowling figures for the Tanga School Combine, having recorded 4-27.

 With the 137-run target in their sight, the Tanga School Combine youngsters played their hearts out but ended up losing the tie- scoring 120/6 in 20 overs. Edward David, coming in as an opener, orchestrated the spirited chase, grabbing 57 runs at a strike rate of 142.50.

 Top-order batsman Taher Khanbhai garnered 18 runs, whereas Shayo wound up with 17 runs. The series also saw Tanga School Combine beat the other participant, Tanga Academy, by 72 runs.

 Al-Muntazir U-17 cricket team, as disclosed by a Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) officer, travelled to Tanga to participate in the competitive Tri-Series hosted at the Usagara venue. The matches were, the officer pointed out, played in various formats— from full 20-over games to seven and 10-over fixtures.

 They presented the young players with an exciting platform to gain exposure, adapt to changing match situations, and experience regional cricket camaraderie. With three wins, Tanga School Combine's cricketers were crowned winners of the Tri-Series.

 Featuring in the series is, as per the TCA officer, part of Al-Muntazir School's youth cricket development program. The tour, the TCA officer revealed, was a valuable opportunity for Al-Muntazir’s young cricketers to play in a new city, build connections with fellow players based in Tanga, and further their journey in the game.