Halai century leads SCLPS to impressive win in opening NPCA 50-Overs tourney

Right handed batter Sumit Halai was the top performer in the opening weekend of the 2022-23 Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) 50 0vers tournament held Sunday 25 June in various grounds across the county.

The young 20 year old put up an impressive 116 runs from 129 balls faced as Shree Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj Youth team (SCLPS YL) produced an impressive 25 runs victory over Stray Lions A club at the SCLPS Ground in Nairobi.

Having won the toss and elected to field, the visitors struggled to contain the hot hand of Halai, Ravi Rabadia and Kenyan international Lucas Oluoch who added 28 and 14 runs respectively to a total of 212 runs all out.

On the bowling side, Halai showed his abilities once again as he poured in a wicket and a maiden - conceding just three runs in three overs.

Ankit Bhanderi on the other hand was the top fielder with three wickets in 7.1 overs - sealing out the 187 runs all out performance in 44.1 overs.

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In the set of other matches played on Sunday, defending champions Kanbis secured a 154 runs victory over Obuya Academy A at the Eastleigh Grounds in Nairobi.

The hosts, led by Dhiren Gondaria - who scored 103 runs - put up 340 runs for the fall of eight wickets, with fellow Kenyan internationals - Nelson Mandela, Sachin Bhudia and Emmanuel Bundi adding up double-digits run totals to put the tie away from their opponents.

Obuya Academy scored just 179 runs with Mikunj Pindolia nicking three wickets in the process.

Swamibapa A at the Nairobi Jaffreys Club and led by Kenyan player Rushabh Patel on the other hand stunned Sikh Union A by seven wickets, after totalling 139 runs for the win.

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In the last fixture of the day, the duo of Pushkar Sharma and Sachin Gill put up 159 runs in 19.1 overs to whitewash Nairobi Gymkhana A to win by 9 wickets at the Ruaraka Sports Club Grounds.

In the fixtures released by NPCA last week, the opening round of fixtures will take place till Sunday 6 August 2023, after seven weekends, with the second round going on till late October.