Samaj tackle on in-form Sikhs as Kanbis seek Kenya Kongonis scalp

Nikhil Hirani during a past event.[Courtesy]

The ninth week of Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) 50-Overs Super League awaits cut-throat competition as the top tier teams renew their rivalry at various venues.

Log leaders Ruaraka have another week to prepare for their home match against Stray Lions A Sunday 25 as they have a bye this weekend.

What this means is that their crease adversaries Swamibapa A (placed second) and third placed Kanbis A will be fighting for maximum points ostensibly to dislodge Ruaraka from the summit.

Kanbis start favorites against Kenya Kongonis at their Eastleigh High School backyard while Swamis have a date away with Nairobi Gymkhana.

Shree Cutch Leva Patel Samaj (SCLPS YL A) are expected to fight tooth and nail in their home fixture against Sikh Union.

Sikh Union skipper Sukhdeep Singh has warned their crease adversaries that they are not pushovers and can no longer be taken lightly.

The Sikhs are currently placed fourth on the NPCA Super League log behind Ruaraka A, Swamibapa A and Kanbis A but are hoping to finish the season on a high.

Sukhdeep has since extolled the batting brilliance of two of their three newly signed pros Shoaib Akram and Ali Butt following their stellar performance last weekend.

“This was the experience we needed in our team and we are glad to have Shoaib and Ali and indeed learn from them since we are a young squad. We already had an amazing experience and coming into this league we didn’t want any team to take Sikh union lightly because we have a well-balanced squad.,’ Sukhdeep said.

Tailenders Stray Lions A will be looking to make amends in the nine-team league as they face Sir Ali Muslim Club (SAMC A) at Nairobi Jaffrey’s.            

Team Kanbis insist that they will stick to the basics throughout the 50-Over tournament and give 100% effort in the remaining 6-7 games to win the league.

“As we did last weekend, forgetting the loss we had to face in the previous game against Swamibapa, we will go harder and harder game by game. Guys are in a solid mood to perform at any given day,” Kanbis skipper Dhiren Gondaria said.

Newly promoted Kenya Kongonis A will not be pushovers in their match against Kanbis A. Former Kongonis skipper Tom Ojijo sounded quite febrile.

Kongonis lost by 6-wickets to champions Ruaraka last weekend and are not ready for another slip up.

Former Kongonis Skipper and top order batsman is a confident man. Commenting on their loss to Ruaraka, Ojijo explained: “Batting first after losing the toss due to the slow nature of the pitch was always a tough task for our batters to complete the full 50 overs and we only managed to score 91 in 30 overs and we were set to defend a paltry target.”

SUPER LEAGUE

Kanbis A vs Kongonis A (Eastleigh)

Stray Lions A Sir Ali A (Nbi Jaffrey’s)

Nbi Gymkhana A vs Swamibapa A (Nbi Gymkhana) SCLPS YL A vs Sikh Union A (SCLPS)

Bye -Ruaraka