The much-awaited Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) Twenty20 playoffs are set to take place this weekend across multiple venues.
The highly anticipated Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) Twenty20 play-offs are finally here, set to unfold at various venues this weekend.
After eight weeks of intense competition, the tournament reaches its crucial knockout stage, with the top four teams battling for a place in the final.
The play-offs follow the Indian Premier League (IPL) format, meaning teams will have multiple routes to the final.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Athletics News in Kenya from Pulse Sports
Newly appointed Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy took charge of his first training session ahead of crucial 2026 world cup qualifiers fixtures.
League leaders Swamibapa A take on second-placed Kanbis A in Qualifier 1 at Sikh Union Nairobi, while the third and fourth-placed teams, Sir Ali Muslim Club A and Sikh Union A, clash in the Eliminator at Ruaraka.
NPCA Honorary Secretary Narendra Patel emphasized the quality of competition and the excitement surrounding the play-offs.
“We have witnessed good all-round cricket over the past eight weeks, and now we head to the business end of the tournament, which will be fiercely contested. All four teams are of high quality, and fans can expect top-notch cricket this weekend,” Patel remarked.
The marquee clash sees Swamibapa A, led by Rushabh Patel, pitted against arch-rivals Kanbis A.
)
Benni McCarthy names a 32-man Harambee Stars squad for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon, blending experience and youth.
Swamibapa will look to key players like Sachin Gill, one of their most reliable all-rounders, and Vraj Patel, who was named Man of the Match in their recent victory over Nairobi Gymkhana.
Swamibapa’s Sachin Gill acknowledged the importance of the encounter, stating, “This weekend’s match decides if we go straight to the final or not, so it’s crucial for us. All the best teams are in the knockouts, and nothing comes easy. We need to bring our best cricket to get over the line.”
Kanbis A, on the other hand, will rely on their hard-hitting star Dhiren Gondaria, currently ranked second in the NPCA leaderboard with 539 runs, just behind Stray Lions’ Simon Ssesazi (544 runs).
The team’s batting depth includes openers Hiren Kabariya and Pushpak Kerai, while the middle order features Sachin Bhudiya, Rakep Patel, and Nelson Mandela Odhiambo.
)
Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou has been urged to make a ruthless decision on Harambee Stars prospect Djed Spence ahead of their Europa Legaue clash against AZ Alkmaar.
The Eliminator match at Ruaraka sees Sir Ali A, captained by Gurdeep “Sunny” Singh, take on Sukhdeep Singh’s Sikh Union A in a match where the loser will be eliminated.
Sikh Union’s skipper Sukhdeep Singh expressed confidence in his squad’s approach, stating, “Our strategy is simple: play good cricket and give our best in all three departments. We are well-prepared, both mentally and technically, for this battle against Sir Ali, and we hope to achieve a positive result.”
The winner of this clash will face the loser of Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2 on Sunday for a second chance at reaching the final.
With the stage set for an action-packed weekend, cricket fans can expect thrilling encounters as the NPCA T20 League nears its climax.