The stage is now set for next weekend’s Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) T20 League final between Swamibapa A and Kanbis A.
This follows the dramatic conclusion to the NPCA T20 play-offs at Sikh Union and Ruaraka clubs on Saturday and Sunday.
The Rushabh Patel-led Swamibapa A booked a finals ticket on Saturday after beating Kanbis A by 8 wickets at Sikh Union.
But the playoffs, run in a format analogous to that of the Indian Premier League (IPL), always hands losers of Qualifier 1 a lifeline to the next level.
After losing in Qualifier 1, Kanbis A, skippered by Dhiren Gondaria, bounced back in Sunday’s Qualifier 2 when they beat Sikh Union by 2 wickets to seal the remaining slot for the final slated for Sunday, March 23 at a venue yet to be decided.
It was an evenly contested Qualifier 2 at Nairobi Jaffrey’s. Kanbis A won the toss and elected to field first and were on the front foot as the top order collapsed to 27 for 3 wickets in the first five overs. A brilliant partnership between the captain Sukhdeep Singh (60 runs off 48 balls) and Jasraj Kundi (59 runs off 42 balls) guided the team to a competitive total of 153 for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs.
In reply, Dhiren Gondaria played a captain’s knock to steer his team to the finals in a tense finish with a brilliant 91 runs off 55 balls. Kanbis were able to chase the score in 19.4 overs to the delight of their fans and captain.
Sikh Union A, captained by Sukhdeep Singh, had earlier defeated the Gurdeep “Sunny” Singh-led Sir Ali Muslim Club A by 4 wickets at Ruaraka grounds in Saturday’s Eliminator to advance to Qualifier 2.
“We are through to the final. I urge the boys to give their best, keep things simple and enjoy the game. The more we take the pressure, the higher the chances of making mistakes, so we are going to play hard and at the same time enjoy the game,” said Dhiren.
In Qualifier 1 against Swamibapa A, Kanbis A won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 145 for 7 in 20.0 overs. In reply, Swamibapa carried the day with 146 for 2 in 19.1 overs.
Peter Koech with 3 wickets for 34 runs and the leading wicket taker in the tournament Vraj Patel 2 wickets for 21 runs were the main wicket takers for Swamibapa A team.
In reply, Dhwanil Patel was the toast of the well-oiled Swamibapa A outfit, thanks for his half-century off 35 deliveries ably supported by Sachin Gill’s unbeaten 33 runs off 32 balls.
Sachin Bhudiya also smacked half a century but the early dismissal of Kanbis A’s openers Dhiren (13 off 10 balls) and Hiren Kabariya (2 off 6 balls) had already dealt the Eastleigh troops a blow.
Meanwhile, the pairings of NPCA Division One T20 playoffs have been decided. Sir Ali B will meet Samaj B in Qualifier 1 while Obuya A and Stray Lions B in the Eliminator.
Sir Ali A led the Division One League, although Samaj B have a match in hand and as such can’t be dislodged from the position by Stray Lions B and Obuya A.
Division 2 title chase is also taking shape as four teams have already qualified for the semis following this weekend’s quarter-finals. Wolves A and B will join Samaj YL Development and Stray Lions C in the semis.
In another quarterfinal, Wolves A beat Stray Lions D by 94 runs while Samaj Development beat Nairobi Gymkhana B by 6 wickets.
