It's two on the trot for Kenya: Hosts defeat Bostwana by seven wickets in Under-19 tourney at Gymkhana

U19 CRICKET Keeper/Batsman Ankit Hirani of Team Kenya during the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier at Nairobi Gymkana Grounds on Saturday, July 01, 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Chasing 140, opening duo of Gandhi and Musyoka steady hosts' ship in vital win.

The Under-19 national team yesterday beat Botswana by seven wickets to register their second victory in the ongoing International Cricket Council (ICC) 2018 Under-19 World Cup Africa Qualifiers at Gymkhana, Nairobi.

At Jaffery Sports Club Oval, neighbours Uganda subjected Ghana to their second defeat after they won by 18 runs to ensure that their campaign is not dented.

Aman Gandhi once again starred for Kenya with the bat as he scored his second half ton to increase their chances of qualifying for the global biennial event. In Botswana's innings, Yakish Patel, Gerald Mwendwa and Abhishekh Chidambaran, were brilliant with the ball.

Fielding first, Kenya bowled economically as they restricted Botswana to an attainable score of 139 all out in 44 overs. Patel took four wickets and conceded 25 runs, Mwendwa took two for 11, while Chidambaran dismissed two for 27. Sukhdeep Singh and Gandhi took one wicket each as the homeboys conceded runs they could effortlessly chase.

Muaz Arooz was Botswana's top scorer with 37 runs off 70 balls and hit four boundaries before he was stumped after 27.1 overs with the scoreboard at 91 for the loss of three wickets. Botswana wicket keeper Valentine Mbazo scored 23 off 67 but Patel got him caught. Brandon Van Zyl was doing well with the bat and had an impressive score of 16 off 19.

Chasing 140, the opening duo of Gandhi and Musyoka stepped on the crease with confidence forming a solid partnership that led Kenya to victory. Gandhi put up a brilliant performance scoring 74 off 84, but was trapped leg before by Phemelo Silas with Kenya's score at 127 for the loss of three wickets.

Musyoka scored (33), Rahul Seedhar (6) before Aveet Desai and Thomas Ochieng completed the job for a score of 140/ 3 in 28.2 overs.

Ronald Opilo's 67 not out did not go to waste as Uganda secured a narrow 18 runs win.