Cricket: Kenyans fall short in South Africa tour

KENYA VS SAUDI ARABIA National Team's Batsman Emmanuel Bundi, right, hits a six against Saudi Cricket team as Saudi Cricket team's Wicket Keeper Imran Azam ready to save a delivery during a friendly match at Nairobi Gymkana grounds on tuesday, sept 22, 2015. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO.

The men’s national cricket team yesterday fell by 24 runs to KwaZuzu-Natal (KZN), their only Group C defeat in the ongoing Africa Twenty20 Cup at the Diamond Oval in Kimberly, South Africa.

The loss left their chances of advancing to the semifinals hanging by a thread. Having won the toss, the Kenyan men fielded first with Emmanuel Bundi putting up a spectacular show as he took five wickets and conceded 13 runs. Bundi destabilised KZN’s game plan, dismissing Zibusiso Zondo 9 (13), Andile Mokgakane 11 (10), skipper Prenelan Subrayen 6 (12), Jason Oakes 2 (6), and Jason Wagner 1 (5).

Nehemiah Odhiambo, Nelson Odhiambo, and Shem Ngoche took one wicket each as KZN settled for 116 all out with two balls to spare.

Opening batsman and wicketkeeper Irfan Karim and Dhiren Gondaria had a partnership of 32 but, Smangaliso Nhelebela got Gondaria caught in 4.2 overs. [Elizabeth Mburugu]