Stray Lions’ Indian pro Bhagath Varma earns high praise after helping them secure NCPA T20 title

CRICKET Stray Lions’ Indian pro Bhagath Varma earns high praise after helping them secure NCPA T20 title

Joel Omotto 20:58 - 11.03.2024

Indian pro Bhagath Varma has been lauded for his starring role as Stray Lions ‘A’ decimated last year’s champions Swamibapa ‘A’ to win the NCPA Super Division Twenty20 title.

Stray Lions ‘A’ captain Tanzeel Sheikh has sung the praises of indefatigable Indian pro Bhagath Varma whose match-winning last ball six earned their side the coveted Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) Super Division Twenty20 title.

Stray Lions ‘A’ decimated last year’s champions Swamibapa ‘A’ by five wickets following a dramatic finish to a pulsating T20 final that treated fans to some exhilarating displays of cricket artistry at Sikh Union grounds.

And it was double celebration for the Lions after their ‘B’ side defeated Kanbis B by seven wickets to rack-up this year’s Division One title at Nairobi Gymkhana.

“It’s an incredible feeling winning this dramatic final. And winning it off the last ball is even merrier. Congratulations to the boys and Swamibapa as well for a well-fought final. The innings Bhagath played throughout, he was hitting the ball well so we all believed even if it’s six off one ball he would win it for us and he did. He (Bhagath) played an incredible game,” said Sheikh.

Swamibapa ‘A’ won the toss and elected to bat first. They savoured a good start in the first innings; setting a decent target of 165 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. Chasing the target, the Lions hit 166 for five in 20 overs to carry the day.

Varma was named man of the match with 84 off 44 deliveries while Swami’s Dhwanil Patel smacked 77 off 49 balls. Varma hit eight boundaries and five sixes.

The tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) was Cutchi Leva’s Manish Kerai while Swamibapa ‘A’ skipper Rushabh Patel emerged the best batsman after he topped the leaderboard with 416 runs.

“I think 160-plus on this wicket was a really chasable target. The wicket was good, but they also batted well. And again, Bhagath pulled us through. By and large, we have played incredible cricket in the T20 season and teamwork paid off,” added Sheikh.

Asked about his match-winning six, Varma commented: “I didn’t know that I would hit it but I just went for it. We were just one ball away and I knew with one good hit, we would be home and dry. We were also confident that anything between 170 and 180, we would give it a good chase.”

Going into the last ball, the Swamis thought it was a done deal, but not until Sheikh’s six sent the victors into a frenzy.

Swamis’ veteran batsman Maurice Ouma was left to rue the last ball that denied the 2023 T20 champions back-to-back titles.

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