Holders Kanbis move top as NPCA 50-Overs league competition intensifies

Defending champions Kanbis A have returned to the apex of Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) 50-Overs league for the first time this season following a stress-free five-wicket advantage away to Kenya Kongonis A at Nairobi Club.

The ‘Eastleigh Giants’ tie with last year’s runners-up Swamibapa A on 12 points, albeit with a superior Net Run Rate (NRR) of 2.932 after the third round of action.

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On form, Swamibapa A ended Nairobi Gymkhana A’s unbeaten run with a massive 154-run victory, thanks to swashbuckling Sachin Gill’s century in what turned out to be a high-scoring thriller for the victors. 

Opener Onkar Jadhav led the batting onslaught with a brilliant half-century (86 runs off 68 deliveries only).

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It was a bad day in the office, though, for Swamis’ skipper Rushabh Patel, who was dismissed by Krishil Patel for a ‘golden duck’ via a Leg Before Wicket (LBW).

But fears of Gymkhana disorienting the T20 champions evaporated soon enough when man-of-the-match and best-batter Sachin filled the void left behind by Rushabh, smacking a cool 135 off 118 balls. He was well supported by Yash Chavan in the middle order, who also scored a fine half century (74 runs off 80 deliveries).

Nairobi Gymkhana A won the toss and elected to field first, setting the tone for Swamis’ incredible score of 347 for 7 in 50.0 overs. In reply, Gymkhana A could only manage 193 for 9 in 50.0 overs.

At Nairobi Club, it was smooth sailing for Kanbis A, who finished the job in just 13.5 overs, with Dhruvam Patel picking the man-of-the-match award. Dhruvam collected 4 wickets but was dismissed by Duncan Harambee for a golden duck.

Kanbis’ star batsman Sachin Bhudiya was also dismissed for a duck with Keval Bhuva, and Dhiren Gondaria scoring 35 and 10 respectively.

Kanbis won the toss and elected to field first as Kenya Kongonis A were bowled out for 60 in 21.1 overs. Kanbis ‘A’ carried the day with a score of 61 for 5 in 13.5 overs.

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Meanwhile, Satyalasksha Jain scored a century to enable home team Ruaraka A to decimate Shree Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj (SCLPS A) by 6 wickets. After a disastrous start to the season, the former champions have now registered back-to-back victories to get back into the title race.

Additionally, Sikh Union A recovered from their loss to Ruaraka A last weekend to defeat hosts Ngara A by 5 wickets, thanks to skipper Sukhdeep Singh’s contribution of 90 runs off 71 balls. Sukhdeep notched 7 boundaries and 4 sixes.

Elsewhere, home team Sir Ali Muslim Club A racked up back-to-back wins after they handed Stray Lions A a 7-wicket blow. Krishna Babu, captaining Sir Ali this season once again, scored another half century (52 runs off 51 balls) to lead his side to a comfortable victory over Stray Lions, who seem not to have recovered from last season’s poor outing.