Stray Lions ready to pounce on Swamis in NPCA 50-Overs League

Stray Lions' players during a past event.[Courtesy]

After a false start to the 2024 Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) 50-Overs League, T-20 Champions Stray Lions A will be angling for their first good performance of the competition when they tackle Swamibapa A in the much-awaited Nairobi Jaffery’s derby.

Stray Lions suffered a 274-run loss at the hands of defending 50-Overs Champions Ruaraka last weekend but are looking to make amends in the third week of the season which started in late June.

Lions’ boss Thota Sreenivas says his boys are putting behind their bad performance in the opening match as they look to maul the star-studded Swamis outfit.

“One or two bad performances cannot demoralize us; as this team won matches for us throughout last season and we as management back them to do well. We know that Swamibapa are a very sturdy outfit but we have full confidence in our players to do well and compete well against them.” Sreenivas said.

Swamibapa will peg their hopes on hitman Sachin Gill, Dhwanil Patel (wk), Jignesh Hirani, Mitesh Sanghani, Skipper Rushab Patel and Harendra Kerai among others.’

Stray Lions, on the other hand, will be spearheaded by the likes of Kavi Dosaja (wk), dangerman Shubham Jadhav and Neil Mugabe among others.

In another Super Division encounter, former champions Kanbis A will host Shree Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj (SCLPS YL A) at their Eastleigh backyard where they are going for their second win of the competition.

Kanbis skipper Dhiren Gondaria was all smiles and here is what he had to say: “The boys are super excited with their progress in the 50-Overs season so far and we are pumped up with the preparation we did, guys are fit and full of energy; you will be seeing some changes in the lineup and also the squad with new faces who will represent us.”

Ruaraka A will be hoping to maintain their dogged campaign in defense of the coveted 50-Overs title when they host a resurgent Sikh Union A at Ruaraka Sports Club.

The Forest Road “Simbas” as they are commonly known, humiliated Nairobi Gymkhana last weekend and will be looking to upset the defending champions on their home turf. Their newly signed Pros performed exceptionally well in their opening encounter against Nairobi Gymkhana and will be looking for a similar performance.

Ruaraka currently tops the NPCA log with a flawless points score of 8 coupled with a Net Run Rate of 3.850. The champions will field the likes of Pushkar Sharma, Nitish Hirani and Chandresh Hirani (wk) among others.

Nairobi Gymkhana A will host newly promoted Kenya Kongonis A at Gymkhana, while Sir Ali Muslim Club (SAMC) have a bye this weekend and will be busy training with their new pros, ready for next weekend’s fixture. SAMC came out firing from all cylinders last weekend when they thrashed Cutchi Leva at home.

Division One has six matches on the cards. Sikh Union B will host Ruaraka B at their Sikh Union ground.

SCLPS YL B will take on Kanbis B at Samaj stadium while Obuya A have a date with GI Unicorns A at their Lenana home-turf.

Division Two is also sure to produce some fireworks. Ngara B are paired against Wolves B at Ngara Sports club whilst Swamibapa Development face Stray Leopards B at Jamhuri. Kongonis B will take on Stray Lions Cat Nairobi Club.

Legends CC play Obuya B at Impala in another Division Two match.

SUPER DIVISION

Ruaraka A vs Sikh Union A (Ruaraka)

Kanbis A vs SCLPS YL A (Eastleigh) Swamibapa A Stray Lions A (Nbi Jaffreys)

Nbi Gymkhana A Kongonis A (Nbi Gymkhana) Bye- Sir Ali A

DIVISION ONE

Sikh Union B vs Ruaraka B (Sikh Union) SCLPS YL B Kanbis B (SCLPS)

Obuya A VS GI Unicorns A (Lenana) Stray Lions B Swamibapa B Peponi

Sir Ali B vs Ngara SC A (Sir Ali)

Wolves CC A vs Nbi Gymkhana B (Viraj)

DIVISION TWO

Ngara B vs Wolves B (Ngara)

Swamibapa Development vs Stray Leopards B (Jamhuri)

Kongonis B VS Stray Lions C (Nbi Club)

Legends CC vs Obuya B (Impala)

NPCA Media & Marketing Team