Cricket: Redemption time for national cricket team in friendly games

Batsman Cricket Kenya team Irfan Karim clear ball during the 4th Round of International Cricket Council World Cricket League Championship match against Hong Kong at Nairobi Gymkana on Sunday, Nov 20, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

After a disappointing trip to Uganda, national men's cricket team will be seeking to redeem themselves when they take on Singapore, Malaysia and Oman in Nairobi next week.

The national team, now a pale shadow of its former self, lost to Uganda's Cricket Cranes during a tour last month.

Kenyans lost four out of five matches to the Ugandans. Before that, Kenya drew 1-1 draw against Nepal after losing by seven wickets in the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League Championships in Nepal. Kenya had won the first leg at home by five wickets.

Singapore, Malaysia and Oman will be using the matches in Nairobi to prepare for the upcoming ICC World Cricket League Division Three in Uganda later this month. Kenya, on the other hand, will use the matches to hunt for more players to beef up the national team.

Coach Thomas Odoyo said the absence of senior national team players will pave way for upcoming ones, who stand a chance to earn places in the team.

"I always look out to improving the team whenever we play and these matches will not be different. The absence of key players is a perfect opportunity for others to showcase what they have and we will be looking for the best performers to join the senior team," Odoyo said.

The team will miss wicket keeper Irfan Karim, who is away in England, skipper Rakep Patel and bowler Nehemiah Odhaimbo, who are both injured.

Oman have been impressive throughout the qualification process. They began in Division 5, before moving up the ladder and remain on course to qualifying for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

They have also performed well in the ICC World Twenty20 qualification and are inching closer to qualifying for the 2020 ICC World Twenty20. [Elizabeth Mburugu]