Tomorrow NPCA 50 Overs league action will feature a total of 15 matches, four in the Super League Division, six in Division one and five in Division Two.
Swamibapa A will face off with arch rivals Kanbis A in Sunday’s Super League derby at Nairobi Jaffery Sport Club grounds in Lavington.
The Jaffrey’s derby will definitely determine who takes control of the 50-Overs League which is programmed to culminate in October. Both sides are unbeaten so far but Swamibapa A had to contend with two abandoned matches.
Still In Super League, Nairobi Gymkhana A have a date with Sir Ali A at the Nairobi Gymkhana whilst Sikh Union A play Kenya Kongonis A at their Sikh Union home-turf.
Following week 6 schedule last weekend, Swamibapa A remained on top of the Super League log on net- run rate with 16 points same as Kanbis A and Ruaraka A.
Kanbis A has a game in hand though and will be fighting to take control of the competition this weekend. Champions Ruaraka have played 6 matches and Swamis 5 so far.
Ruaraka duo Gautam Waghela and Pushkar Sharmah top the batting chart with 346 and 250 runs respectively from 5 innings. Kanbis skipper Dhiren Gondaria is placed third with 194 accrued from 4 innings.
A match against defending champions Ruaraka A at Nairobi Jaffrey last weekend was abandoned due to poor pitch conditions which seriously dented both sides’ title charge. Swamibapa has so far had 2 games abandoned which might cost them dearly in the end.
Kanbis A defeated T20 Champions Stray Lions by 147 Runs last Sunday at their Eastleigh High School home-ground to stay on course for title contention.
Kanbis are expected to field Pushkar Kerai, Nelson Mandela Odhiambo and skipper Dhiren Gondaria in their top order with Dhruvan Patel, Sachin Bhudiya and pro Maxwell Swaminathan coming in the middle order.
Rakep Patel is also expected to start for the Eastleigh troops despite early dismissal in last weekend’s match. The Kenyan skipper will spearhead the batting lineup for former champions.
The Swamis will peg their hopes on hitman Sachin Gill, Dhwanil Patel, Harshvardhan Patel and Harendra Kerai among others.
In one of the highlights of Division One, log leaders Kanbis B face off with 8th placed Swamibapa B at the former’s Eastleigh High School backyard. Kanbis B currently lead the Division One table with 20 points ahead of Sikh Union B , Obuya A, Ruaraka B, and Ngara A all on 14 but separated by net run rate.
In Division Two, leaders Stray Lions C will square it out with An-nadil Jamaly at Saifee Park.
Obuya B and Wolves B will renew their rivalry at Lenana School grounds while GI Unicorns B host Stray Leopards B at Goan Institute.
Whatever will be up the sleeves of the players will be known on Sunday when the matches get underway.
NPCA 50-OVERS LEAGUE/WEEK 7-Sun/04/08/2024 Super Division
Nbi Gymkhana A vs Sir Ali A (Nbi Gymkhana)
Sikh Union A vs Kongonis A (Sikh Union)
Ruaraka A vs SCLPS YL A (Ruaraka)
Swamibapa A vs Kanbis A (Nbi Jaffreys)
Bye Stray Lions A
Division One
Sir Ali B GI vs Unicorns A (Sir Ali)
Wolves CC A vs Sikh Union B (Viraj)
Stray Lions B vs Obuya A (Peponi)
Kanbis B vs Swamibapa B (Eastleigh)
SCLPS YL B vs Ruaraka B (SCLPS)
Ngara SC A vs Nbi Gymkhana B (Ngara SC)
Division Two
An-nadil Jamaly vs Stray Lions C (Saifee)
Kongonis B vs Ngara B (Nbi Club)
Swamibapa Development vs Legends CC (Jamhuri) GI
Unicorns B vs Stray Leopards B (Goan Inst.)
Obuya B vs Wolves B (Lenana)