The current season of the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) Division One League is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet, with team rivalries providing thrilling moments for fans. NPCA Chairman Kanti Rabadia is delighted with the high standards the teams are maintaining as the season progresses.
“The standards have been set, and the sky’s the limit,” Rabadia said. “Division One and Two serve as feeder leagues for our top-tier Super League.”
League leaders Kanbis B, like their top-performing A team, are eagerly anticipating the weekend’s matches. They will face GI Unicorns A at the Goan Institute on Sunday and aim to solidify their position at the top of the table. Kanbis B will rely on their top-order batsmen Hiren Kabariya, Kaushal Mepani, and wicketkeeper Mansukh Jesani.
GI Unicorns, regular contenders in Division One, are determined to bounce back after a heavy 204-run defeat to Ruaraka.
Key players Mitesh Goswani, Hetul Tank, and Bhumit Chauhan will be central to their efforts. “We’re not done yet! We still have 6 to 7 matches left, and we’ll fight to the end,” said Peter D’Costa of Goan Institute, who also serves as NPCA’s Honorary Treasurer.
Meanwhile, second-placed Ngara SC A will take on Ruaraka B at Ruaraka Sports Club, leaving nothing to chance. Ngara A will rely heavily on their skipper Rajiv Sutaria, who is currently in top form as one of the leading run-scorers with 239 runs. Rajiv will be a crucial player with both bat and ball as Ngara A seeks to reach new heights.
Nikul Patel and Mehul Patel are also expected to play key roles for Ngara A. Nikul, the team’s master blaster opening batsman, has been consistently impressive, maintaining a strike rate of over 100 in the four games he has played. Ngara A is eyeing a spot in the Super League next year.
Ngara ‘s strategy is to be resilient and simple. Ngara Team Manager Harsha Patel said: “The essence is to keep the basics right and not focus on who the opponent is. The plan for our batsmen is to play every ball to its merit and as bowlers to ball in the right areas, then indeed focus on building partnerships at regular intervals and playing session by session with a target in mind.”
Meanwhile, Division Two League has four matches on the cards. Wolves B will play An-nadil Jamaly at Viraj, whilst leaders Stray Lions C take on Stray Leopards B at Peponi ground.
Kongonis B will hoist Legends CC at Nairobi Club as Ngara B square it out with GI Unicorns B at their Ngara backyard in South C.
Whatever is up the sleeves of Division Two teams will be known when action starts on Sunday morning.
DIVISION ONE
Ruaraka B vs Ngara SC A (Ruaraka)
GI Unicorns A vs Kanbis B (GI)
Sir Ali B vs Stray Lions B (Sir Ali)
Swamibapa B vs Nbi Gymkhana B (Jamhuri ) Sikh Union B vs SCLPS YL B (Sikh Union) Obuya A vs Wolves CC A (Lenana)
DIVISION TWO
Wolves B VS An-nadil Jamaly (Viraj)
Stray Lions C vs Stray Leopards B (Peponi) Kongonis B vs Legends CC (Nbi Club) Ngara B vs GI Unicorns B (Ngara)
