The first-season century in 10 matches for Pushkar Sharma brought great delight to the Ruaraka Sports Club’s talismanic batsman ahead of the upcoming Swaminarayan Pro20 Night cricket.
Sharma was one of the centurions on the day that witnessed centuries across three venues.
Six centuries were scored at Ruaraka Sports Club, Peponi School and Shree Cutchi Leva Samaj grounds.
At Ruaraka Sports Club, Sharma scored 173 off 154 balls on Sunday to help his side to a comfortable 233-run win over Sir Ali Muslim Club in the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) league.
“I was unbelievably happy. I was quite nervous, I haven’t been in this position for a while and it means the world to me. I’ve been through quite a lot getting to this moment and I’ve worked very hard, so I feel very chuffed,” said Sharma, who will turn up for Mahadev Strikers in the Swaminarayan Pro20 tournament.
His knock alongside 107 from Sachin Gill who will turn up for Mafuko Mavericks helped Ruaraka post 358 for 3 before Gill bagged 3 for 20 in five balls to hand his side a good win against a poor Sir Ali. The two had put on a second wicket stand of 293 in 40 overs.
“Everyone’s mind is on the upcoming Pro20 tournament. I am glad that the score came at the right time. It will give me more confidence as I head into the tournament against the top in the world and in the country,” Sharma said.
At Peponi School, Ali Butt scored a match-winning 133 off 130 balls to lead Sikh Union to a six-wicket win over hosts Stray Lions.
Butt, who will turn up for Purple Dot Ndovus, was aided by Affaq Shahid who remained unbeaten on 93 runs. Butt’s ton made Shubham Jadhav’s 108 go in vain after he put on a 172 for the third wicket with Shahid.
Jadhav, who has been snapped up by Play Master Warriors in the Pro20 had hit 16 boundaries off 99 balls as Stray Lions posted 300 for 7.
At Samaj, Kanbis who have produced a bulk of players into the Pro20 tournament, scored a record 466 to hand hosts SCLPS a 292 runs loss.
Narendra Patel and Dhiren Gondaria were the destroyer in chief with 144 and 122 runs respectively.
The two shared a second wicket stand of 243 after they had lost Pushpak Kerai for a duck in the first over.
Patel will turn up for Hari OM Titans 21 fours and seven sixes while Gondaria will captain Mavericks hit 15 fours and four sixes off 94 balls.