By The Arusha News Correspondent
Kilimeru stunned ACC with a dominant seven-wicket victory in their second league match of the ongoing ARCC T10 tournament at the St. Constantine Ground last week.
ACC’s decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired as they were bundled out for just 55 runs. Four batters were dismissed for ducks and only four others managed single-digit scores. ACC’s batting line-up looked helpless against Gulfan Naaqvi, who claimed four crucial wickets, while Shaaha Haider and Hamza Saajan took two wickets each.
ACC opened with Jainam Bapu and Jenu Pandya but Haider struck early, bowling Jenu in the first over. Gulfan then delivered a double blow in the next over, removing Prasad and Karimu to leave ACC in shock. Jaimin tried to steady the innings but fell short as Haider trapped Amit, reducing ACC to 24/4 in the powerplay. Jaimin’s attempt to attack Liakat ended in his dismissal at deep mid-on leaving ACC at 38/5 after five overs. The last five batters could add only 17 more runs.
Chasing 56, Kilimeru had a shaky start when Ali Asgar was bowled by Jenu Pandya. ACC fought back with tight bowling but needed sustained pressure and lethal spells from both ends to stand a chance. Prasad was brought on from the nursery end but Mujtaba Sajan greeted him with boundaries on the first and fifth deliveries. Kilimeru ended the powerplay at 16/1.
After the break, Jainam Bapu came on to bowl but Sajan and Haider took charge, smashing Parimal for 19 runs in the fifth over to move to 45/1. Karimu’s late introduction briefly slowed Kilimeru as he dismissed Sajan, while Haider was caught at mid-on off Jaimin. However, both had already done the damage and Kilimeru cruised to victory with 15 balls to spare.
Other match results of the weekend were: Telegu won by 101 runs over Kilimeru 313; A to Z won over Kilimeru 313 by seven wickets and Kilimeru defeated TCA by six wickets.
