The Ghana Cricket Association (GCA) Division One League served up decisive penultimate-round action at the Achimota Cricket Ovals on Sunday, December 14, 2025, with Maharashtra Mandle Ghana (MMG) and Carel Super Kings (CSK) suffering defeats that confirmed their relegation to Division Two.
GT deny MMG survival
On Oval A, Gujarat Tridents (GT) sealed MMG’s fate with a five-wicket victory, chasing down 114 in 17.2 overs after restricting MMG to 113/7.
MMG’s innings lacked the bite required for a must-win encounter, despite a solid opening stand of 65 runs between Dinesh Butola (32 off 40) and Vasant Shinde (39 off 42). The breakthrough came in the 11.5th over when Raman Madhu dismissed Shinde, caught at long-on by GT captain Arumugam Venkatesh. From there, GT tightened the screws through disciplined bowling from James Kwaku Vifah, Anil Reddy, Sam Michael Merbin and Raman Madhu.
In reply, James Vifah produced a match-winning all-round display. After GT lost opener Raj Roshan early, Vifah anchored the chase with an unbeaten 50 off 47 balls, showing patience and control under pressure. Earlier, he had claimed figures of 4.0–0–24–3 with the ball.
Vifah was deservedly named Player of the Match as GT climbed to third on the table with seven points and a game in hand, while MMG dropped to seventh with four points, confirming relegation.
Salt n Pepper pile misery on winless CSK
On Oval B, Carel Super Kings’ miserable campaign continued as they slumped to a 49-run defeat against Salt n Pepper, remaining winless after six matches and rooted to the bottom of the table with zero points.
Salt n Pepper, who struggled early in the season, made it three consecutive wins to move up to fourth with seven points. Their innings was powered by a sensational knock from Junaid Ahmed, who fell just 10 runs short of becoming the league’s first centurion. Ahmed smashed 90 off 43 balls, including seven fours and seven sixes, before being clean-bowled by CSK captain Selvaraj Chockalingam in the 13.2nd over. Salt n Pepper posted 170/9 in 18.4 overs.
Youngster Carlson Stanley starred with the ball for CSK, grabbing 5 wickets for 40 runs in 3.4 overs. Stanley also impressed with the bat, scoring 52 off 55 balls and sharing a vital partnership with Derrick Ateak (41 off 31), but CSK could only manage 121/9 in reply.
Junaid Ahmed was named Player of the Match for his explosive innings.
Rana Motors hold on to second spot
Earlier on Oval A, Rana Motors strengthened their grip on second place with a dominant 49-run victory over Evolve in a low-scoring contest.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Rana Motors posted 112/6, with Richmond Baaleri Jamal top-scoring with a patient 43 off 49 balls to earn the Player of the Match award.
Evolve, playing their final match of the season, collapsed under relentless bowling pressure and were bundled out for 63 in 16.4 overs. Sachin Pandey led the rout with figures of 4.0–0–8–3, while captain Shijo Devasia (2.4–1–6–2), Shajahan Razak (4.0–0–18–2) and Baaleri Jamal (2.0–0–11–2) shared the spoils. No Evolve batter reached 15 runs.
Despite the loss, Evolve finished sixth with six points from seven matches, securing their Division One status for next season. Rana Motors remained second with nine points.
Alpha crowned champions
On Oval B, Alpha Cricket Club continued their impressive campaign with a four-wicket win over BGC to confirm the Division One league title.
Chasing 107 after BGC posted 107/8, Alpha were guided home by Halim Khan, whose brisk 41 off 25 balls steadied the chase. Alpha reached 110 in 17.4 overs despite a late wobble, with BGC captain Devender Singh Malik claiming 4.0–0–16–4.
Malik also contributed 25 off 29 in the first innings, but the Player of the Match award went to Halim Khan, who complemented his batting with tidy bowling figures of 3.0–0–18–2.
Alpha sit comfortably at the top of the table with 11 points from six matches. BGC, with one match remaining, are fifth with six points.
Season finale awaits
The final round of matches will be played on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the Achimota Cricket Ovals, with BGC, CSK, Salt n Pepper, Rana Motors, Alpha Cricket Club and Gujarat Tridents all vying for final league positions. Achimota Cricket Club will also look to settle their standing when they face Punjab Warriors.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
