Damani toast to repeat title

Jazz Safari National Men's League

Division 1

Damani 102 Kutchi 94

(Damani win by eight runs)

Lions 251 Strikers 159/5

(Strikers win by five wickets D/L)

Tornado Bees 285/4 Premier 103

(Bees win by 182 runs)

Division 2

Avengers 338/6 KC Budo 95

(Avengers win by 243 runs)

Nile 90 Wanderers 92/2

(Wanderers win by eight wickets)

Division 3

Karago 152/9 Nyakasura 107

(Karago win by 45 runs)

Aziz Damani sealed their national cricket title defence with a dramatic and ultimately surprising eight-run victory over second-placed Kutchi Tigers on Monday at Lugogo.

It was surprising not because Kutchi have been the stronger side in the Jazz Safari National Men's Division 1 League this season. Far from it: Damani went into the game with an 18-point lead on the Tigers and with a perfect 10-0 record. But it was surprising because Damani, who were shorthanded for the game - with three key players missing - were all out for 102 in 31.2 overs.

To make matters worse, the Tigers then raced to 81/4 in 17 overs, looking certain to end Damani's unbeaten run if not title charge.

But the next six wickets would tumble for just two more runs and just like that Damani had preserved their unbeaten record but more importantly confirmed their title defence. Damani's Emmanuel Isaanez claimed man-of-match honours after taking 3/17 for Damani but no doubt Dhansuk Jesani, who took 5/9 for Kutchi, had the biggest performance on the day.

Saud Islam (Damani) and Jitendra Jadeja (Kutchi) finished with a game-high 35 runs apiece. Dinesh Kumar scored 24 for Kutchi while Sai Manoj managed 20 for Damani.

Bilal Hassun took 3/28 in 4.5 overs for Damani, who will complete the season 14-0 if they win their next three games, which is highly likely.