Thrilling clashes on the card as NPCA Twenty20 returns

The long wait is over!

It's all systems go as the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) Twenty20 season gets underway at various venues in the city on Sunday 19 January.

The T20 season will feature three categories, Super Division, Division One, and Division Two with the elite Super Division having 10 teams split into two groups; A and B.

Group A has NPCA League Champions Kanbis A, Ruaraka A, SirAli A, Shree Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj YL A, and defending T20 champions Stray Lions A.

In Group B are 2023 T20 champions Swamibapa ‘A’, Sikh Union A, Nairobi Gymkhana A, Nairobi Club’s Kongonis A, and the newly promoted Ngara Sports Club A.

NPCA Secretary Narendra Patel believes the opening weekend match-ups will not only replicate good-humored rivalry among teams but also treat fans to some exhilarating displays of cricket artistry.

Group A clash between hosts Kanbis A and Ruaraka A (at 14:00hours) is a highly anticipated, star-studded match-up in which individual growth and evolving skills of some players could significantly influence not just this game, but their teams' entire seasons.

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The Eastleigh troops are unlikely to effect major changes to their league-winning outfit apart from Emmanuel Bundi who has moved to Stray Lions.

Skipper Dhiren Gondaria and Rakep Patel headline the Kanbis A line-up among other experienced players.

The last time the two giants clashed was in September 2024 when Kanbis A beat Ruaraka A by a massive 256-runs, managing to recapture NPCA 50 Overs Super League Title with zest and vigor.

The Division One matchup pitting hosts Kanbis B against Ruaraka B at Eastleigh will curtain-raise their Super Division A teams’ duel.

Meanwhile, as the 2025 T20 season tips off, lots of eyes will also be on the big guns of NPCA’s shorter version of the competition.

Tournament favorites Swamis (who beat Sikh Union A to the coveted Swamibapa Golden Jubilee T10 tournament title on New Year's Eve at Jamhuri), will be up against Ngara Sports Club A in another highly-anticipated Super Division season opener.

Having failed to capture the NPCA 50-Overs League title last year, the run-and-wicket-hungry Swamis will aim to start the season on a high.

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Elsewhere, Stray Lions ‘A’ didn't impress in the 50-Overs League but being the T20 defending champions, a lot is also expected from them. They have beefed up their squad by signing Irfan Karim and Bundi after losing promising youngster Francis Mutua to SCLPS team.

Sir Ali ‘A’ will begin their campaign against Kongonis ‘A’ at Sir Ali ground. The former had a disappointing season and will be looking for a better performance from their players as they push for the coveted Super Division T20 title. The team will be boosted by the arrival of three overseas players to support captain Gurdeep Singh.

Nairobi Gymkhana ‘A’ and SCLPS YL ‘A’ will square it off at Nairobi Gymkhana grounds for the opener of the T20 league. The latter has been boosted by the arrival of Narendra Kalyan from Kanbis and Mutua from Stray Lions.

In other Division One matchups, Swamibapa ‘B’ will play Ngara B at Jamhuri whilst Sikh Union ‘B’ hosts Stray Lions ‘B’ at Sikh Union grounds. Sir Ali Muslim Club ‘B’ will host Goan Institute A at Sir Ali.

DIVISION TWO

09:30: Stray Lions C vs An-nadil Jamaly A (Peponi School)

09:30: Goan Institute B vs Legends CC A (GI)

09:30: Nairobi Gymkhana B vs Sikh Union Development (Nbi Gymkhana)

14:00: Swamibapa Development vs Wolves Cricket Club B (Jamhuri)

09:30: Nairobi Royals vs Stray Lions D (Nbi Jaffrey’s)

09:30: Kongonis B vs Medics CC (Nairobi Club)

14:00: Legends CC B vs SCLPS YL Development (Peponi School) Ruaraka Development (BYE)

DIVISION ONE

09:30: Kanbis B vs Ruaraka B (Eastleigh)

09:30: Swamibapa B vs Ngara Sports Club B (Jamhuri)

09:30: Sikh Union B vs Stray Lions B (Sikh Union)

09:30: Sir Ali Muslim Club B vs Goan Institute A (Sir Ali)

SUPER DIVISION

14:00: Kanbis A vs Ruaraka A (Eastleigh)

14:00: Swamibapa A vs Ngara Sports Club A (Nbi Jaffrey’s)

14:00: Sikh Union A vs Stray Lions A (Sikh Union)

14:00: Sir Ali Muslim club A vs Kongonis A (Sir Ali)

14:00: Nairobi Gymkhana A vs SCLPS YL A (Nbi Gymkhana)