- The play-offs were postponed because of rains
- They were initially to be played last Saturday
- Stray Lions take on SCLPS in the highlight fixture
The long wait is over and all systems go as Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) Twenty20 Super Division Top Four play-offs get underway.
Kanbis A will renew their rivalry with Swamibapa A in the much-anticipated Eliminator play- off whilst SCLPS YL A lock horns with Stray Lions A in Qualifier 1.
Whatever anyone may think, the top four must be having their fingers crossed hoping for the best in the Saturday pairings with which thrills and spills are guaranteed.
Kanbis skipper Dhiren Gondaria is brimming with confidence despite his team finishing fourth in the League to set a date with archrivals Swamis in the eliminator.
Dhiren said: “We have a very good young side and with Rakep Patel’s comeback from injury layoff, I don’t think we should have anything to worry about.”
“Though we are all working equally hard, we just expect our hard work pays off but I can assure that we are going to give everything to win this title. Rakep was back in the previous game but unfortunately, Vinod is injured,” said Dhiren.
Kanbis lineup is expected to play opener Narendra Patel, Pushpak Kerai and skipper Dhiren in the top order while Sachin Bhudiya, Rakep and Nelson Mandela Odhiambo should occupy the middle order.
Swamis will have their hopes NPCA title hinged on Captain Rushabh Patel and the likes of Dhwanil Patel and veteran Maurice Ouma.
NPCA hopefuls Stray Lions confident
Stray Lions Chairman Thota Sreenivas on his part said they’re not resting on their laurels despite qualifying second behind Cutch Leva in the NPCA Super Division.
Thota notes; “I don’t think we’ll make any change in the team which played Swamibapa last week. We are not taking SCLPS any lighter as they were leading the points table which shows they are a very strong opponent.”
Thota further said that they will not be taking any chances after losing to Swamibapa last weekend.
“We’ll not experiment with anything as our team is doing good and we want to continue with the winning momentum as all the players are settled in their line up.”
“We are expecting to have a good game irrespective of whoever wins. T20 is a game anyone can win. We give our best to win the game to reach finals comfortably rather than playing again in a second qualifier,” Thota continued.
Cutchi Leva, who topped the NPCA T20 log will hinge their hopes on Niraj Patel, Sumit Halai, opener Manish Kerai, Ravi Rabadia (wk.) and Darsh Panchani among others.
Usual suspects in line up
The usual suspects in Stray’s line up are Irfan Karim (wk.), Shubham Jadav, Neil Mugabe, Aman Gandhi and Indian professional Bhagath Varma.
The play offs were programmed for last Sunday at Sikh Union but were rescheduled to Saturday as a result of an unplayable square.
The winner in the Qualifier 1 earns direct qualification to the final while the loser gets a second chance to meet the winner of the eliminator.
Swamibapa are the defending Champions of the T20 championship after defeating Sikh Union under floodlights at Shree Cutchi Leva grounds in Nairobi West.
SCLPS A topped the league with 24 points beating longtime leaders Stray Lions to second spot with a superior Run Rate.
SATURDAY FIXTURES
NPCA: Super League
2:30 p.m.
ELIMINATOR- Kanbis A vs Swamibapa A 2:30 p.m.
QF1- SCLPS A Vs Stray Lions A
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