Stray Lions’ MVP Bhagath Varma savours T20 title after starring role in final against Swamibapa

CRICKET Stray Lions’ MVP Bhagath Varma savours T20 title after starring role in final against Swamibapa

Joel Omotto 16:40 - 12.03.2024

Indian professional Bhagath Varma has expressed his delight at leading Stray Lions to the NCPA T20 title after a dominant display in the season finale against Swamibapa.

Indian professional Bhagath Varma has described his match-winning performance in the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) T20 Cup final as his best feeling ever since joining Stray Lions this year.

Varma sent hundreds of Stray Lions A fans into a frenzy with that towering match-winning six as they beat rivals Swamibapa A by five wickets to claim the Super Division T20 trophy at the weekend.

Chasing a target of 165, Stray Lions rediscovered their good form later in their innings to pull through when Varma did the unexpected.

"We knew the wicket was really good to play so we were sure anything between 170 to 180 we would be able to chase so we had a plan to stay through the end and it happened," said Varma.

"I just went for it, I didn't know I would hit it,” Varama added, regarding his stunning last ball six. “It was just one ball away and one good hit.”

“It is always a good feeling winning the final for your team and with this atmosphere, so we believed in ourselves and gave it our best shot. You always hope to fight to the very end and you never know, you might win or lose."

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,” said Stray Lions captain Tanzeel Sheikh.

“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 (Varma) played an incredible game,” added Sheikh.

Swamibapa A had won the toss and elected to bat first. They had 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 also 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 topping the leaderboard with 416 runs.

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