This Sunday, all eyes will be on Ngara Sports Club as hosts and NPCA Division 2 leaders, Ngara B, face their closest rivals, Stray Lions C, in what could be a title-deciding clash at South C.
With just two games left in their campaign, Ngara B sit comfortably atop the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) standings with 36 points, six ahead of Stray Lions C. A win this weekend would see them secure the Division 2 title with an unassailable 40 points.
Ngara B have played 11 matches so far and only need to win this weekend to put the title race beyond Stray Lions C’s reach.
For the visitors, who have three games remaining, a loss would see their title hopes dashed, as even winning their final two games would only take them to 38 points.
The NPCA 50-Overs League has seen all but the Division 2 title claimed, with Kanbis A and B having already secured the Super League and Division 1 crowns, respectively, while Shree Cutch Leva Patel Samaj Development wrapped up the Division 3 title earlier in the season.
Ngara B’s team manager, Harsh Patel, expressed confidence ahead of the high-stakes encounter, emphasizing the importance of home advantage. “We have two pending games, and Stray Lions have three. We are playing Stray Lions at home, and if we win, we clinch the league. It’s going to be a tough and explosive match, but we’re ready,” said Patel. He added, “Both teams will get a maximum of two senior players from their teams above to play on Sunday. Thank God it’s at Ngara—we have the home advantage, and we’re six points clear. We just need to beat Stray Lions to win the league.”
For Stray Lions C, Sunday’s match is equally critical. Their captain, Subin Abraham, is bracing for a fierce contest. “This match will be almost like a final for both teams. If Ngara wins, they take the title, but for us, even if we win, we still have two more crucial matches against Wolves and Obuya B that will determine our chances. We need to win all our remaining games to have a shot at the title,” said Abraham.
Stray Lions C are expected to field key players such as Peter Kituku, Aman Jarwal, wicket-keeper Libin Raj, and Vinod Kumar as they look to keep their title hopes alive. Meanwhile, Ngara B will be banking on their star performers, including Jitesh Patel, Deep Patel, Jay Patel, and skipper Piyushkumar Patel, to get the job done on home turf.
Elsewhere in Division 2, Kongonis B will take on GI Unicorns B at the Nairobi Club, while Swamibapa Development face off against Obuya B at Jamhuri High. Though these games lack the title implications of the Ngara-Stray Lions clash, they still promise competitive cricket as the season winds down.
In Division One, with the Super League title already secured, teams continue to battle it out for final positions. Sir Ali B will host SCLPS YL B at Sir Ali’s home ground in one of the remaining fixtures.
As the NPCA Division 2 season draws to a thrilling conclusion, all eyes will be on Ngara B and Stray Lions C this Sunday in a showdown that could define the league champions.
