SWEET REVENGE

Kenya bounced back from their 39-run defeat to Saudi Arabia to beat Uganda by seven wickets in the ongoing Cricket Kenya Quadrangular Twenty20 series at Nairobi Gymkhana.

Wicketkeeper Irfan Karim, who had disappointment written all over his face after the Saudi loss was the chief architect as Kenya avenged their 50-Overs series loss to Ugandans in style.

Kenya coach Thomas Odoyo told FeverPitch that they stuck to their game plan, leading to the conquest over Uganda, who had beaten them by two wickets last Friday in the longer version of the game.

“We executed our plan very well unlike in the Saudi Arabia tie where we were good in bowling but failed in batting. The boys were brilliant today and everybody played their part religiously and the results were very impressive,” Odoyo said yesterday. He added that they were going for nothing less than victory against Qatar who stand between them and the final.

Kenya won the toss and elected to field just as they did against the Saudi Arabians, allowing the Ugandans to make 129 runs for seven in 20 overs .

In reply, Karim led Kenya’s assault with 70 runs off 50 balls hammering nine boundaries and a six.

Karim, a left-hand batsman, partnered well with Dhiren Gondaria, a right-hand batsman, for 44 runs. Even so, it was his partnership with fellow left-hand batsman Rushab Patel that was more productive, producing 49 runs.

Patel was second on Kenya’s scoring list with 31 off 16 and with the highest striking rate of 193.75 per cent.

Gondaria, who has been instrumental for Kenya, made 20 runs off 15 balls. Uganda’s Mohammed Irfan, Henry Ssenyondo and Jonathan Sebanja took a wicket each, bundling out Gondaria, Alex Obanda and Patel respectively.

Karim and Collins Obuya’s partnership won Kenya the match by seven wickets with 25 balls remaining to revive Kenya’s hopes of making it to the finals.

Brian Masaba was the top scorer for Uganda with 36 runs off 35 balls, recording four boundaries. Deusdedit Muhumuza was second with 27 off 22 while Arthur Kyobe had 25 off 24 balls. Elijah Otieno was impressive for Kenya with figures of two for 17 in four overs and managing a maiden.

Eugine Ochieng took one wicket for 21 in three overs and had a maiden as well. Shem Ngoche and Nehemiah Odhiambo took a wicket each.

At the Jaffrey’s Oval, Saudi Arabia continued with their impressive form beating Qatar by 36 runs.

The win saw the Saudis maintain a 100 per cent record in the T20 contest following their wins against Uganda and Kenya.