Sikh Union Cricket Club A, Sunday, delivered the biggest upset of the 2021 Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association 50 Overs League so far as they defeated champions Kanbis A by two wickets at their Forest Road ground.
Despite Kanbis posting a paltry 106 runs on the board, the “Simbas” finally savored their maiden win of the season in what came as a pleasant surprise to all and sundry, including the players and officials.
Sikh Union now moves a slot up the log from last position to dislodge Obuya Academy from ninth.
The Simbas, who were pre-match underdogs on paper, won the toss and elected to Bowl.
The Sikhs cleaned up Kanbis for 106 and in reply got a shocker, finding themselves in the deep end of things but managed to hold on to wrap it up with two wickets to spare and took the maximum four points for the well-deserved victory.
Team principal Avtar Singh Kundi and his colleagues were in high spirits and said they look forward to the boys shifting gears in the second round of the competition.
“This is just the start of things to come. Watch this space for more surprises, now that the Simbas have woken up,” said an elated Avtar, who is also a member of the NPCA Management Board.
Meanwhile, at Park Road, things turned thick for Sir Ali Muslim Club, who also found themselves in a similar uncomfortable position when Cutchi Leva bowled them out for 105 in 26.4 overs.
SCLPS came to chase the total and found the going equally tough, with Irfan Elani, Prishnu Yadav and Abdul Rehman sharing six wickets amongst themselves, before Cutchi Leva managed to scrape through with a much savored four-wicket win.
At the Ruaraka ground, it was business as usual for the Stray Lions, who saw off the strong challenge of determined Ruaraka by 54 runs. Krishna Katukala smashed a blistering century (105) to help Lions cling to the summit of the NPCA log with 36 points.
The Swamis are now second on the log with 28 points after they saw off a determined challenge from the ever-improving Obuya Cricket Academy at Lenana School, while champions Kanbis dip to third on 24.
Sir Ali Muslim Club are placed fourth also with 24 but with an inferior run-rate to Kanbis.
