Petrofuel DC Caravans T20 Cup organizers win plaudits

THE Petrofuel Dar es Salaam Cricket (DC) Caravans T20 Cup tournament organizers, Caravans Cricket Club, have won praise for overseeing a successful hosting of this year's edition of the annual showdown.

Jumanne Murilo, the Special Zone Police Commander for Dar es Salaam that was the 2023 Petrofuel DC Caravans T20 Cup tournament final's guest of honour, revealed he was very much impressed by its arrangements.

The Police Commander also added that cricket has a great chance of bringing success to Tanzania internationally with its rapid growth in various regions, coupled with the hosting of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier slated for next month in Dar es Salaam.

Azania Bank Upanga SC clinched this season's Petrofuel DC Caravans T20 Cup title, defeating Aurobindo Aga Khan SC by a staggering 88-run margin in the final.

The exciting match took place at the esteemed Leaders Club ground in Dar es Salaam, marking the third consecutive final appearance for Aurobindo Aga Khan SC which was aiming to turn into one of the most successful teams in the competition's history.

Efforts by Aurobindo Aga Khan SC cricketers to hold sway in the clash and ultimately clinch silverware, unfortunately, ended in vain having suffered the loss to the spirited Azania Bank Upanga SC.

Azania Bank Upanga SC cricketers notched 180/6 in 20 overs when they went in to bat as Aurobindo Aga Khan SC had won the toss and elected to field.

The final results were a resounding victory for Azania Bank Upanga SC, as Aurobindo Aga Khan SC was, in response, dismissed for a mere 92 runs in 14.5 overs.

This loss marked Aurobindo Aga Khan SC's first defeat in this year's Petrofuel DC Caravans T20 Cup and served as a reminder that the final is what truly matters in determining the ultimate champion.

According to Murilo, the national U-19 cricket team's good run in this year's ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier will inspire many other youngsters in the country to join the game.

Tanzania will host the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier, with the showdown's contenders battling for a ticket to play in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup.

Murilo was moreover delighted with the efforts that the Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) has made in growing the game of cricket in the country.

Atif Salim, TCA Media Officer, said this year's Petrofuel DC Caravans T20 Cup was at its best, with clubs competing at a very high level.

The official noted that the inclusion of several foreign players that the clubs signed for the tournament, moreover, improved competitiveness.

Salim noted it was a great learning experience for the local players as well, given sharing dressing rooms with quality players is always beneficial.

Individual awards were also presented to the best players of the Petrofuel DC Caravans T20 Cup showpiece.

Umar Shaikh of All Seasons Lions received the ASAS Emerging Player Award, recognizing his talent and potential.

Bom was awarded the Alliance Champion of Champions title. Augastin, who displayed consistent excellence throughout the tournament, was honoured with the Car & General Man of the Series award and went home with a brand new TVS Apache RTR bike.

The 2023 Petrofuel DC Caravans T20 Cup concluded with an enthralling final, showcasing exceptional cricketing skills and the determination of the competing teams.

Azania Bank Upanga SC's dominant victory established their place in the annals of the prestigious tournament's history, while Aurobindo Aga Khan SC will have to regroup and strive for success in future editions.

This season's tournament penned a landmark achievement being the first tournament in the country to feature over 15 foreign players that played for various teams in the tournament.

The Petrofuel DC Caravans T20 Cup is an annual T20-formatted cricket competition organized by Caravans Cricket Club.

Petrofuel is the title sponsor of the showdown. Other sponsors include Alliance Insurance, Colourflex, TATA Africa Holdings, ASAS, Rickshaw Travels, RAS Logistics, Pepsi, e-Parking, Remax, Flashnet, and Aurobindo.

Others are Azania Bank, Jiuzhou, All Season Hotel, General Petroleum, UMC International, Automark, Hisense, Oman Air, Ashton Media, Mo Assurance, Aucom & Harmonic, and Car & General.

Horizon Teleports, Aone Bottlers, Samsonite, Bank of India, Canara Bank, Euro Cables, VL Smart Solutions, Mobidoc, G1 Logistics, Delta Africa, The Works, and Tanzindia Assurance wind up the sponsors' list. 

Alliance Caravans lifted the 2022 Petrofuel DC Caravans T20 Cup tournament's trophy following the outfit's four-wicket drubbing of Aurobindo Aga Khan SC in the final.