Alaf Aces cricketers all out to dominate 2023 DC 50 Overs League

The tournament's Group A is led by Alaf Aces Cricket Club, which boasts wins in two out of three outings and a 1.3467 net run rate.

They opened their campaign with a 44-run win over Lions Cricket Club in a tie that took place in the city on February 19.

Caravans Cricket Club, also one of the top honour challengers, was Alaf Aces Cricket Club's next victim, with the former suffering a five-wicket loss to the latter in a duel that took place on February 26.

Pacer, Ally Mpeka, starred for Alaf Aces Cricket Club when the club fielded, as the cricketer ran rings around Caravans Cricket Club's batting lineup and claimed a six-wicket haul whilst giving away 38 runs in 9.1 overs.

Zimbabwean cricketer, Aisah Chibanda, won the Man of the Match prize thanks to his impressive showing at the crease during Alaf Aces Cricket Club's innings, nailing 60 runs not out.

Alaf Aces Cricket Club's tie against the Gymkhana outfit, slated to take place at Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (DGC) on March 19, was abandoned before the beginning of the second innings because of rain.

The Gymkhana squad had batted first in the scheduled 50-over clash and notched 185 runs all out in 40.3 overs before the rain brought the game to a stop.

The Group A leader further has one of the most competent batting lineups, amassing 518 runs and leaking 470 runs. 

Second-placed Caravans Cricket Club has posted a victory in two ties and a defeat in one to settle for the 1.6342 net run rate. The outfit has posted 788 runs and given away 491 runs.

Gupta Upanga SC- A, placed third in Group A, is also in the race for the silverware, as the club has notched 454 runs and conceded 582 runs from two victories and one loss to record 0.1141 net run rate.

Lions Cricket Club, now occupying fourth place, has to showcase elements of a strong contender for the top honour as it has managed to notch 659 runs and conceded 639 runs from victory in one clash and loss in two matches.

Bottom-placed Gymkhana Cricket Club has managed to post the -2.4045 net run rate from four matches after losing three ties and the other clash was abandoned.

A seasoned challenger, Aga Khan SC, is enjoying the driver's seat in Group B after collecting a 3.0938 net run rate from victory in three out of four fixtures, followed by second-placed Pak Stars boasting a 5.6600 net run rate.

Strikers Club, positioned third, has amassed a 0.4415 net run rate (401 runs scored and 320 runs conceded) whereas Shree Kutchi Leva Patel Sports Centre (SKLPSC), now sitting fourth, has notched -2.3600.

TCA Combine languishes at the bottom of the table in Group B without a victory in four ties- notching a -3.5744 net run rate. 

Alaf Aces Cricket Club is still reveling in last season's success, as the outfit lifted the 2022 GP Gymkhana Shield tournament title which took place at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (DGC), defeating Aga Khan SC by 23 runs in the final.

Winning the 2022 GP Gymkhana Shield tournament's trophy turns out to be the most memorable achievement the club has had in recent years.

Alaf Aces Cricket Club's quest for success in this showpiece was hugely boosted by its acquisition of gifted Zimbabwean all-rounders, Chibanda and Jeremiah Makanya. 

The duo had turned out for their country's national U-19 squad which took part in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup in the past.

According to Alaf Aces Cricket Club's founder and veteran cricketer, Azim Thakur, the outfit's management decided to play its trump card, which could have gone wrong, but the team was ready for the approach and had a very good opening pair throughout the showdown.

Alaf Aces Cricket Club brought the showdown to a close with a performance akin to the outfit's displays in its opening fixture.

With Aga Khan SC missing gifted all-rounder Arshaan Jassani, who has always been a threat to Alaf Aces Cricket Club when the two squads face each other in various competitions, Alaf Aces Cricket Club made the most of the cricketer's absence to tame their opponent. Thakur said Alaf Aces Cricket Club's skipper Mohammad Ali allowed youthful cricketers, Hamza Ally and Ayoub Hamisi, who played very important roles.

The veteran cricketer pointed out that it is hardly easy to manage a team that is full of match-winners and, to Alaf Aces Cricket Club, it turned out to be the toughest feat to have accomplished.

Alaf Aces Cricket Club moreover has garnered a momentous boost off the pitch, given the club is lately sponsored by various stakeholders including ALAF Limited, TTT Worldwide, Street Cars, The Bowls, Gupta Auto, and Sunskist Bakery.