Peerless Tikolo steers side to T20 victory

Former Kenya team captain Steve Tikolo produced a superlative performance to steer his Team Red side to victory at the inaugural Kenya Legends T20 match staged at the Sikh Union Grounds in Nairobi on Sunday.

Team Red won the star-studded encounter with 6 wickets after notching 122 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in the 20 overs.

In reply, Team Green, also skippered by former Kenya team captain Aasif Karim, scored 119 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the 20 overs.

Tikolo dazzled with his hard-hitting shots that won him the Man of the Match award in the nostalgic encounter. The Nigerian national team head coach had an amazing 47 runs off 32 balls. He was closely followed by team mate Andrew Mboya who had 38 runs off 33 balls.

Mboya won the Most Sixes and the Batsman awards. Maurice Odumbe bagged the Best Fielder gong while the Best Bowler went to Karim.

Despite giving Kenyans nostalgic memories of when the country was on top of the world, the spectacular showpiece was also characterised with a couple of injuries as Team Green’s Zafir Din had to be rushed to the hospital after dislocating his ankle.

While savouring their sweet victory, Tikolo hailed his side for the great unity that ensured they delivered the glittering trophy home.

“I’m happy my side crossed the line to emerge champions. We were able to perform well individually through reading the game," he said.

“Our plan was just to restrict them when we bowled first so that they don’t score too many runs, and when we came in to bat, it was about us occupying the crease more,” Tikolo told Standard Sports.

While giving secrets to his high scoring antics, Tikolo added: “I did what is called shot selections. I was judging the balls to score off the runs, and balls that were not easy to score off. I was playing defensive.”

Tikolo said working in tandem with the Nigeria national team has helped him to maintain his amazing fitness.