KENYA WINS: Hong Kong bowled out in first match

Batsman Hongkong team's Tanwir Afzal (right)makes a forward strike as Wicket Keeper Ifran Karim of Kenya waits a delivery during cricket world cup qualifier at Nairobi Gymkana Grounds on Friday, Nov 18, 2016. [PGOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD] Kenya's Bowler Lucas Ndandason during cricket world cup qualifier at Nairobi Gymkana Grounds on Friday, Nov 18, 2016. [PGOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Kenya yesterday beat Hong Kong by three wickets in the first match of two International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League Championships (WCLC) ties at Nairobi Gymkhana.

The hosts won the toss and elected to field in a quest to restrict Hong Kong and have an achievable target. The visitors who started well were bowled out for 222 in 46.2 overs and Kenya overcame the target with 13 balls to spare in a match that was stopped three times due to showers.

Kenya’s openers Irfan Karim and Alex Obanda scored 19 runs before heavens opened and the game was stopped in the third over.

Their opening partnership seemed strong on resumption after the rains stopped, as Obanda took the lead until Aizaz Khan dismissed him after 8.2 overs with the scores at 47. Dhiren Gondaria was next on the crease for Kenya, making the second wicket partnership stronger. Karim and Gondaria had everything going their way and put Kenya’s score on the century mark in 10 overs.

Their partnership stood firm and lasted longer despite Gondaria surviving twice before being caught by Nadeem Ahmed off Ehsan Khan.

Gondaria had escaped Nadeem’s wrath twice after he dropped him to give him a life line in the game. Things took a wrong turn for Kenya after Gondaria was dismissed, with skipper Rakep and Karim following him back to the hut in less than 10 minutes.

At the time of his dismissal, Karim had scored 67 off 92, which included five boundaries and a six, while Rakep scored a dismal four runs. Former skipper Collins Obuya did not last long in the middle before the rains interrupted the game again. He was run out after facing only seven balls and scoring 10 runs which included two boundaries.

After a 20-minute delay, the Duckworth/Lewis rule was applied and the target revised to 200 in 43 overs. Kenya scored 201 for the loss of seven wickets in 40.5 overs. Narendra Kalyan and Nelson Odhiambo put up a hard fight before Nelson was dismissed and Nehemiah Odhiambo completed the job.

National team coach Thomas Odoyo said they were happy with the results and were looking forward to a win in the second match tomorrow.

“We are yearning for a second victory because we need to complete a double and increase our chances of making the last four. The rains and the fall in wickets got us worried at some point but we hope to play better on Sunday,’’ Odoyo said.

Anshuman Rath was Hong Kong’s highest run getter with 90 runs off 92 which included six boundaries and a six before he fell to Rakep. Shamir Wahid scored 44 off 61 and Kinchit Shah scored 34 off 17.

Skipper Rakep was destroyer in chief for Kenya and finished with figures of five wickets for 16 in six overs.

Nelson Odhiambo was impressive and cleared Hong Kong’s top order of Christopher Carter, Kinchit Shah and skipper Babar Hayat, and weakened the opposition. Hayat left the crease a dejected man with just 24 runs off 43 balls to his name.

Nelson finished with figures of 3 for 14 in 7 overs while Nehemiah Odhiambo took two wickets for 34 in 7.2 overs.