Gymkhana continue relentless run in NPCA
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Reading Time: 4min | Thu. 10.07.25. | 07:20
Defending champions Kanbis A racked up their second straight win of the season to keep their title defense campaign alive
High-riding Nairobi Gymkhana A continue to ride on the crest of a wave in the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) 50-Overs League which entered its second week.
With an apparently insatiable appetite for success, Gymkhana A consolidated its lead on the NPCA log by beating Nairobi Club rivals Kenya Kongonis A by 5 wickets in their last match played on Sunday 6 July.
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Gymkhana, who have struggled in both the T20 and 50 Overs, in the past few years, appear to have rediscovered their winning touch, albeit leading log on Net Run Rate (NRR).
They are now tied on eight points with Kanbis A and Swamibapa A but continue to cling onto the log summit for the second week running with a superior NRR of 3.058.
After winning the toss and opting to field first, they, in the end, produced the Man-of-the- Match Ali Shahid Butt, Best Batter in Mohit Jhawa (51 off 51 balls) and Best Bowler Krishil Patel.
Kenya Kongonis were all bowled out for 115 in 28.5 overs. The hosts carried the day in just 23.0 overs after posting 116 for 5, which was enough to sink Kongoni’s ship.
“It was a crucial toss to win with the morning conditions. Our batters didn’t own the game and it was challenging for the bowlers to defend a minimum score of 115. We need to work on our batting unit and at least see out our innings. The players are positive though and looking to bounce back even stronger on matchday three to secure our maiden win of this 50-Over season," Kongonis skipper Thomas Ojijo said.
Meanwhile, at Ngara Sports Club, skipper Rushabh Patel smacked 46 off 50 balls to enable Swamibapa A defeat hosts Ngara A by three wickets.
Swamis won the toss and elected to field first. But, hosts Ngara were all bowled out for 131 in 30.5Overs. In reply, the Swamis hit 132 for 7 in just 26.3 Overs to secure their second successive win of the season.
Elsewhere, Sikh Union A suffered 6-wicket blow to hosts Ruaraka A who savored their first win of the season.
After suffering a humiliating defeat against champions Kanbis A last week, a brilliant all-round display from Ruaraka’ s star performer, Maxwell Swaminathan who stared with a 70 runs off only 46 balls and 3 wickets for 22 runs led them to their first victory and get their league campaign back on track.
“This was not the result we were expecting. The pitch played a huge role in both the innings. The first innings while we batted, the pitch played a bit slow.
As Ruaraka A came into bat the wicket played differently and flat.
All in all, it was a good learning curve at the start of the season; a lot of positives as well with how we bowled and batted. Our youngsters learnt a lot and we are taking this game as a lesson and not a regret," Sikhs’ skipper Sukhdeep Singh said.
On their part, defending champions, Kanbis A racked up their second straight win of the season with an 8- wicket advantage over hosts Stray Lions A at Peponi. Kanbis’ opener Pushpak Kerai was in fine form with a cool 57 off 59 deliveries.
But Dhruvam Patel was the toast of the well-oiled Eastleigh giants with being declared Player-of-the-Match and Best Bowler. Dhruvam collected four wickets much to his credit.
Asked about his side’s winning streak, Kanbis skipper Dhiren Gondaria explained: “I would say great bowling all round from the start by Bilal Husin, and Nelson Mandela Odhiambo, and finishing off by Dhruvam at a good pace, keeping things simple and waiting for the batters to make mistakes. And with the bat, well and comprehensive chase with the help of the man in good form Pushpak Kerai.”
NPCA SUPER DIVISION 50-OVERS LEAGUE POINTS AFTER WEEK2
1. Nrb Gymkhana A 8 Points (NRR 3.058)
2. Kanbis A 8 Points (NRR 2.655)
3. Swamibapa A 8 Points (NRR 1.753)
4. Ngara A 4 points (NRR 0.503)
5. Sikh Union A 4 points (NRR 0.434)
6. Ruaraka A 4 points (NRR -0.488)
7. Sir Ali A 4 Points (NRR -0.522)
8. SCLPS A 0 Points (NRR -2.412)
9. Kenya Kongonis A 0 Points (NRR -2.484)
10. Stray Lions A 0 points (NRR -2.519)
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