Ngara Sports Club B emerged victorious in this year’s Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) Division Two T20 League, showcasing outstanding performances at the Sikh Union Club ground.
Led by Piyushkumar Patel, the team secured the title when their opponents, Legends Cricket Club, failed to surpass the target set by Ngara in the morning innings.
In the final match, Legends won the toss and chose to field first. Ngara B posted a formidable total of 172 for 3 in 20.0 overs. Legends, in response, managed 155/7 in 20.0 overs, with Raj Shetty (81 off 54 balls) and Navpreet Singh (24 off 19 deliveries) providing a solid start before both being dismissed.
Reflecting on the game, Legends’ captain Kranti Kumar acknowledged the strong performance of both teams.
He noted that while they initially had control during the first ten overs of their batting innings, the required run rate became challenging. Kumar highlighted the crucial moment when Raj Shetty was dismissed as a turning point in the game.
Ngara’s captain, Piyush, credited their coach, Martin Suji, for guiding them to victory. He expressed the team’s joy and emphasized the hard work they had put in throughout the T20 season.
In the journey to the final, Ngara secured a 46-run win over An-nadil Jamaly Cricket Club A in the Qualifier Two, while Legends advanced to the final after defeating An-nadil Jamaly in Q1.
During the prize-giving ceremony, NPCA Hon Secretary Narendra Patel emphasized the importance of promoting women’s cricket. NPCA plans to establish a women’s league and under-19 championships to enhance inclusivity in their programs.
NPCA recognized individual achievements, with Ajay Hirani of Meru CC awarded as the season’s highest run-scorer and Lokesh Anand of Legends CC honored as the best bowler. Raj Shetty was celebrated as the best fielder, and Navpreet Singh was named the season’s most valuable player (MVP).
The NPCA is actively working to develop women’s cricket in the city, co-opting two women onto its Executive Committee to lead this initiative. The organization aims to provide equal opportunities for women to participate in cricket at an elite level.
