In a thrilling second week of the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) Super Division 50-Overs League, Sir Ali Muslim Club A made a dramatic return to top-flight cricket.
The match, held at their home ground, saw Sir Ali A claim a remarkable 233-run victory over Shree Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj (SCLPS YL A). Opting to field first after winning the toss, Samaj’s decision backfired as Sir Ali’s batters unleashed a relentless onslaught.
Sir Ali A’s innings were marked by a flurry of runs, culminating in a formidable total of 320 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs. Krishna Babu led the charge with a sensational century, taking just 100 balls to reach the milestone.
He was ably supported by Gurdeep “Sunny” Singh, who scored 70 off 67 balls, and Onkar Haresh Jadhav, who added a solid 55 off 60 balls. The trio’s combined efforts accounted for 226 runs, providing plenty of highlights for the enthusiastic fans in attendance.
In response, Samaj’s batting lineup crumbled under the pressure, managing a meager 87 runs in just 17.2 overs. Rahul Harish, with 29 off 37 balls, and Ravi Rabadia, with 20 off 16 balls, were the only notable contributors for Samaj.
The comprehensive victory saw Sir Ali A collect crucial points and establish a superior run rate of 4.660, placing them second on the points table behind the defending champions, Ruaraka A.
Elsewhere, defending champions Ruaraka A continued their dominant campaign with a crushing 247-run win over Stray Lions A at Nairobi Jaffery’s.
Pushkar Sharma was the standout performer, scoring an impressive 135 off 93 balls. Teammates Gautam Waghela and Nitish Hirani added valuable runs with scores of 76 and 64, respectively.
Ruaraka A’s emphatic victory ensured they remained atop the points table with a perfect record and a net run rate of 3.850.
Meanwhile, Sikh Union A leveraged their home advantage to secure a convincing 133-run victory over Nairobi Gymkhana.
The local knowledge played a crucial role as Sikh Union capitalized on the familiar conditions to outplay their opponents.
In another high-stakes match, Swamibapa A overcame newly promoted Kenya Kongonis by 4 wickets at Nairobi Club. The encounter showcased the competitive spirit of the league as Swamibapa A chased down their target with determination.
The Division One League also witnessed some electrifying contests. Kanbis B triumphed over Obuya Academy Cricket Club A by 28 runs at Eastleigh High School.
Stray Lions B redeemed their club’s fortunes with a 23-run win against Ruaraka Sports Club, while Ngara Sports Club A narrowly defeated Samaj B by 2 wickets in a closely fought match. At Jamhuri grounds, Swamibapa B outclassed Wolves Cricket Club A by 58 runs.
In Division Two, Wolves Cricket Club B exacted revenge for their A team’s loss by defeating Swamibapa Development by a single wicket at Viraj International Academy Nairobi.
Kenya Kongonis B claimed a 21-run victory over Obuya Academy B at Lenana School, adding to the weekend’s tally of exciting matches.
NPCA Assistant Secretary in charge of public relations, Achie, commended the high-scoring weekend, attributing it to the impact of professional players and the aggressive mindset adopted by teams.
“The impact of professionals and the urge to attack has injected the much-needed traction to the league’s first proper weekend. It’s a good start, as normally, scores are low during the early stages of the league due to stale wickets and in some cases, wet outfields due to recent heavy rains, but this is turning out to be a blistering start,” said Achie.
As the NPCA Super Division 50-Overs League progresses, fans can expect more enthralling cricket action and high-scoring encounters. The competitive spirit displayed by the teams in the opening weeks sets the stage for an exhilarating season ahead, with every match promising new twists and turns in the race for the coveted title.
