BY THE ARUSHA NEWS CORRESPONDENT
MCC booked their place in the final for the third time this year after defeating A to Z by 12 runs in the first semi-final of the 20-overs Arusha Cricket League at the St. Constatine Grounds, last weekend.
MCC won the toss and elected to bat first.
Despite losing an early wicket, opener Jainam Patel scored 27 whereas captain Gangadharan Prasan anchored the middle order with an important 48. Yasir Patel also contributed an unbeaten 23 to help MCC reach 135/7 in their allotted overs.
For A to Z Dushant Singh was the standout bowler taking 4 wickets for 26 runs. Chandra Prakash also bowled well, finishing with 1/19 whereas Vijay Bhath took 1/23.
In reply, A to Z made a strong start through Guru Prakash who scored 23 and Sejul Hirani, who added 16. At 80/2 after 10 overs, AtoZ looked in control, needing only 55 runs from the remaining 10 overs.
However, the match changed when Saroj Puhan was introduced into the attack. He produced a match-winning spell taking 5/14 and triggering a middle-order collapse. Jainam Patel supported him well with the ball finishing with figures of 2/33.
A to Z were eventually bowled out for 123 in 19.5 overs handing MCC a 12-run victory and a place in the final.
The second semi-final between Telegu and Annadil will be played tomorrow, Sunday, June 28, with the final scheduled for the same afternoon at the same venue.
