BY THE ARUSHA NEWS CORRESPONDENT
MCC (Meru Cricket Club) were crowned champions of the Arusha Cricket League (ARCC T20) Trophy 2026 following an exciting 18-run victory over Telugu in the final at St Constantine Grounds last weekend, completing an impressive unbeaten run throughout the tournament.
Batting first, MCC put up a solid total of 162 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was anchored by a commanding performance from Anish Jepron, who scored 68 off 44 balls, including eight towering sixes that set the pace for the innings. He found able support in Yasir Patel, who contributed a composed unbeaten 41, while Gautham added valuable runs towards the end to ensure a competitive total.
Telugu responded with determination, as Kelvin Nasibu steadied the chase with a well-crafted 62 and Wilbert added urgency with a brisk 35 from just 19 deliveries. However, the turning point came when Rahul Sridhar executed a spectacular flying catch in Saroj’s over to dismiss Wilbert at a crucial stage, shifting the momentum decisively in MCC’s favour.
From that moment, MCC’s bowlers tightened their grip on the match. Yasir Patel delivered a standout spell, conceding only 12 runs in his four overs while picking up an important wicket. Supported by disciplined bowling and sharp fielding, MCC restricted Telugu to 144 for 6, sealing a memorable victory.
Captain Gangadharan Prasad’s leadership proved instrumental throughout the tournament. His composed approach and tactical awareness in the final ensured the team remained focused under pressure and executed their plans effectively.
In the individual accolades, Taha Nurbhai of Team Annadil finished as the tournament’s leading bowler with 14 wickets, while MCC’s Anish Jepron emerged as the top batsman with 234 runs. Jepron also claimed the Man of the Tournament award after an outstanding all-round performance, amassing 254 runs and taking 13 wickets.
MCC dedicated their victory to Mr Stanley Joseph, a former senior player, in recognition of his invaluable contributions, unwavering commitment and lasting impact on the team.
