The 2024 edition of the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) 50-Overs League kicked off at various venues in the Kenyan capital on 23 June.
And just like the previous editions, this year is no different. Fans can look forward to some exhilarating displays of cricket artistry for the next 14 weeks with the competition’s dark horses and new player signings setting the tone for an explosive showpiece.
The league has seen quite a significant number of players move across to different teams and with the registration of more than 20 overseas professional players across the Super Division. Indeed, NPCA has seen a flurry of movement of players this season totalling to more than 45 players across all the divisions.
The Super Division competition started with only one match on Sunday as league champions Ruaraka A paired against Nairobi Gymkhana A at their Ruaraka backyard where they were impregnable last season.
Meanwhile, the promotion of Kongonis to the top tier could make the ‘Nairobi Club Boys’ the dark horses of this year’s competition.
Kongonis emerged the Division One League winners last season and will be determined to display the much-needed resilience in their playing character at the highest level and prove to the cricket world that they will be no pushovers.
The Nairobi Club outfit has acquired indefatigable Shem Ngoche from Stray Lions and Alex Obanda from Gymkhana to boost their batting line-up, a major boost indeed.
Kavi Dosaja, who captained Nairobi Gymkhana some time back, has moved from Obuya Academy Cricket Club to join T20 champions Stray Lions. Stray Lions have also lost Keeper/Batsman Irfan Karim to Sir Ali who are returning to NPCA competition after a year’s hiatus.
The NPCA transfer window will also play a part in the dynamics of play which means many teams will be compelled to change tact and indeed, strategise accordingly as they learn to cope with changes in their batting line-ups.
With potential explosive nature of the games, increased resilience and a possibly palpable excitement, the 2024 NPCA 50-Overs League is here to enthrall and entertain.
But who will prevail this time around? Will it be Ruaraka who have lost their danger man Sachin Gill to the Swamis? Or will the Stray Lions and Kanbis maintain their dogged campaigns in search of the elusive title, by and large.
“I am happy to join the Swamis, my transfer offers a fresh impetus into my cricket; and I am overly excited about it,” said the cool batting wizard Sachin Gill. “My expectations are the same as for Ruaraka last year, to win the title for Swamibapa.”
Kanbis has strengthened their side with acquisition of three overseas players i.e. Maxwell Swaminathan who previously turned up for Ruaraka, Shreyas Gurav and Aezaz Kothariya. They should be a formidable side this season with these acquisitions.
Sir Ali Muslim Club (SAMC) A side are back in the saddle and will be led by a returning and flamboyant Gurdeep Singh aka Sunny. They have also seen the return of Eugene Maneno from Gymkhana, Joseph Onyango from Obuya and acquisition of three overseas players to bolster their side, and Sunny’s comeback is already sending shivers down the spines of their crease adversaries.
Veteran and former Kenya national team skipper Morris Ouma has moved from the Swamis to join champions Ruaraka.
NPCA secretary Narendra Patel (NK) has called on fans to throng the playing venues in anticipation of some vibrant entertainment.
“Despite a long break occasioned by inclement wet weather, I am glad that the players aren’t that rusty. The recent SCLPS Six-A-side and the Ghanshyam T10 Cricket Tournament have indeed acted as bridge competitions ahead of the 2024 NPCA Men’s 50 Overs League kick-off, so expectations are very high,” Patel said.
