Cricket: Swamibapa continue with winning ways in NPCA T20 league

Swamibapa's James Ngoche celebrate a score against Kanbis during their NPCA T20 league finals at Nairobi Gymkana on Saturday, fEB 21, 2016. PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD.

Former Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) T20 champions Swamibapa yesterday completed their third consecutive win as they seek to reclaim the title.

The Swamis, who are seeking to reclaim the title their lost to Kanbis last season, continued with their winning ways with a six-wicket victory over newcomers Ngara Sports Club at Jaffreys Sports Club.

Swamibapa launched their quest with an-11 run win over Kongonis before squeezing a narrow two-run victory against stubborn Obuya Academy to angle themselves as top contenders for this season’s trophy.

Despite putting up a spirited fight against Swamibapa, Ngara’s Subham Patel was a dejected man after his half ton effort that saw his side score 142 runs in their innings went to waste as his side failed to defend their score, succumbing to their second loss.

They lost by seven wickets to defending champions Kanbis on Saturday.

Subham had scored an impressive 57 runs off 44 balls with Dhyey Patel adding 31 in their innings. However, they failed to contain Swamibapa batsmen with Pankaj Sanghani, missing the half century mark by nine runs.

Saghani had 41 with former Kenya international Maurice Ouma making their chase easy with his 34 not out while national team wicketkeeper Irfan Karim hit 27 off 32 as the Swamis chalked their third win.

James Ngoche (2/12), Mitesh Sanghani (2/22) and Jadavji Bhimji (1/18) took wickets for Swamibapa while Yash Patel dismissed two for Ngara.

Elsewhere, Stray Lions bounced back from their 41-run shock defeat to rookies Ngara to beat Ruaraka Sports Club by five wickets. Nitin Arumdia starred as last year’s finalists Stray Lions got their quest for a maiden T20 title back on track.

Arumdia was in top form excelling with both bat and ball to anchor his side to their first win of the season. His unbeaten 43 was key as Stray Lions surpassed the required 82 to score 83 for the loss of five wickets in 10.5 overs.

Arumdia’s good day in office began with a good show with the ball as he took two wickets in Ruaraka’s innings.

Fielding first, Stray Lions bowled economically dismissing all Ruaraka batsmen by the end of the 18th over.

Nehemiah Odhiambo had a brilliant show taking two wickets.                               

[Elizabeth Mburugu]