Uncertainty surrounds Ruaraka A league title ambitions after defeat to Kanbis A

CRICKET Uncertainty surrounds Ruaraka A league title ambitions after defeat to Kanbis A

Abigael Wafula 21:00 - 18.09.2023

The win for Ruaraka means that they will go into their last fixture away to Sikh Union with 44 points tally which is the maximum their closest rivals Kanbis and the Lions can achieve.

Kanbis A beat leaders Ruaraka A on Sunday to send the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) Super Division 50-Overs Leagues title hopes to a pool of uncertainty one more time.

In their match that was staged at the Eastleigh High School ground, Kanbis beat the latter by 52 runs in a bid to avenge their first-leg defeat in July.

Meanwhile, Stray Lions also beat Swamibapa by nine wickets in their match played at the Nairobi Jaffrey.

The win for Ruaraka means that they will go into their last fixture away to Sikh Union with 44 points tally which is the maximum their closest rivals Kanbis and the Lions can achieve.

Stray Lions and Kanbis are both on 40 points and they will definitely be hoping that Sikh Union annihilates Ruaraka in the last match to leverage on the run rate rule, that is if both win on the last week of the Super Division competition next weekend.

Meanwhile, in a post-match interview, Kanbis skipper Dhiren Gondaria said: "We know the wicket, we know the outfield and how it reacts, we are always lethal at home and we can chase or defend any target.

"Our first leg away game that we lost to Ruaraka was a game that would have been remembered for long if we could have made it to the final line, but yes it was a sweet revenge, loved the way our boys gave their 150% today."

Ruaraka won the toss and elected to field first. But Kanbis were bowled out for 207 in 45.0 overs. In reply, Ruaraka could only manage 155 for 10 in 37.3 Overs.

On his part, Ruaraka hitman Sachin Gill was left to rue their second defeat of the season saying: "We have to play our last game against Sikh Union to win the title. It now depends on the last game, but then again, we are still positive in our title aspirations. I think it was a good idea to field first.

I believe 207 was a chaseable target as we scored 155 without even playing well. I honestly believe it was not a game won by them but a game lost by us. Losing our top order in the first six overs was tough.”

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