The long wait is over and it’s all systems go as Nairobi County Cricket Association (NCCA) Super Division 50 Overs League enters the decisive week 14 this weekend.
A total of four Super League matches are scheduled for various venues on the penultimate weekend but the winner of the coveted trophy will be known on Sunday depending on how the matchday fixtures pan out.
The million-dollar question purists are asking, though, is: Who will take home the title hankered after by the big guns and currently held by Kanbis A Team?
Three teams Ruaraka, Kanbis and Swamibapa are in contention for the title race which started in June.
Leaders Ruaraka (44points) would start as favourites though for the title they last held in 2023, but losing to hosts Samaj A on Sunday means Kanbis A and Swamibapa A (both on 40) have a mathematical chance, albeit on Net Run Rate (NRR).
So, if Ruaraka lose to Samaj A, and both Ruaraka and Swamis win, then the three NCCA League giants finish the 10-team competition on 44, paving the way for the NRR rule to decide the champion.
Ruaraka have paraded some of the competition’s most prolific batmen, including hitman and top run scorer Satyalaksha Jain and last weekend’s century protagonist Vaibhav Patil.
The “Thika Road troops” look certain to lift the NCCA crown for the second time in two years, given their players’ form.
Last weekend, Satyalaksha hit half-a-century to push his runs’ tally to 862 and will be looking to wrap it on a high.
Can Satyalaksha surpass the magic 1000-run mark in a season? Very much possible the way he has batted this season propelling his side to the top of the table!
Ruaraka “A” sits on the summit of the log with 4-point cushion ahead of second-placed Kanbis A, and third-placed Swamibapa.
Champagne celebrations remain on ice for both Kanbis and Swamibapa, but it is only a matter of hours for the two to know their fate.
Kanbis and Swamibapa have put on spirited fights in competition from the onset but had their campaigns deterred by the loss of is key players to the national team. The national team has had three assignments during the current league season severely denting the two sides as key players travelled for national duties.
Last Sunday, Swamibapa A suffered a shock 5-wicket loss to Ngara “A” in what went down as the biggest upset of the 50-Overs season so far.
Meanwhile, Sir Ali and Sikh Union have a bye going into the season-closing Week 15 on the first Sunday of next month.
Swamibapa will visit Nairobi Gymkhana in a match the former must win to to remain in contention. With key players missing including captain Rushab Patel who sustained a serious injury during the training session with the national team and is set for a long spell on the sidelines, Yash Chavan, Onkar Jadhav and the rest of the players will have to put in a massive effort to avoid last weekend’s disaster which seriously dented their chances of winning the league.
Kanbis hosts tailender Kenya Kongonis Cricket Club A at Eastleigh ground. Kongonis are yet to register a win this season and have been poor throughout the campaign. Kanbis will also be without key players once again but should have enough firepower to finish the season on a high irrespective of what happens at the other venues.
Ngara Sports Club A and Stray Lions A clash in another Super League match at the former’s backyard. Ngara are enjoying top form now after Swamis’ upset and will be looking to end the season with victory.
Stray Lions, on the other hand, have also had a poor season with only one win to their credit and would be looking for a win as a consolation for another bad year in the super division.
The league has been intriguing and competitive as the champion will be decided on the penultimate weekend of the season.
NCCA SUPER DIVISION 50 OVERS LEAGUE
SUNDAY, 28-SEP-25-week 14 Fixtures
EASTLEIGH GROUND: Kenya Kongonis Cricket Club A vs Kanbis A
NAIROBI GYMKHANA: Nairobi Gymkhana A vs Swamibapa A
NGARA SPORTS CLUB: Ngara Sports Club A vs Stray Lions A
SHREE CUTCHI LEVA PATEL SAMAJ SCHOOL: SCLPS YL A vs Ruaraka A
05-OCT-25,-week 15 Fixtures
SIKH UNION CLUB: Sikh Union A vs Nairobi Gymkhana A
SIR ALI MUSLIM CLUB GROUND: Kenya Kongonis Cricket Club A vs Sir Ali Muslim Club A
NCCA 50 OVERS LEAGUE STANDINGS AFTER WEEK 13
1 Ruaraka A Team (NRR 1.200) 44 points
2 Kanbis A Team (NRR 1.912) 40
3 Swamibapa A Team (NRR 1.818) 40
4 Nrb Gymkhana A Team (NRR 0.888) 36
5 Ngara Sports Club A Team (NRR 0.009) 28
6 SCLPS YL A Team (NRR 0.288) 24
7 Sikh Union A Team (NRR -0.548) 20
8 Sir Ali Muslim Club A Team (NRR -1.215) 20
9 Stray Lions A Team (NRR -1.519) 4
10 Kenya Kongonis A Team (NRR -3.451) 0