Why Tanzania are itching to play Kenya

Kenya's Eugene Odhiambo in action against Nepal at Nairobi Gymkhana. [Kelly Ayodi, Standard]

Barely a week after Kenya started to play its first T20 International and One Day International (ODI) series at home for the first time in close to four years, interested nations have started trooping in with friendly match requests.

One of the fascinated nations is Tanzania that has sent a delegation led by Tanzania cricket national team head coach Jimmy Kamande with one request; organise a series of international matches between the two countries.

"We are here for ten days and our mission is to have lengthy discussions with Cricket Kenya (CK) and ask them to grant us home and away fixtures," Kamande told Standard Sports.

The former Kenya national cricket team captain was appointed Tanzania cricket tactician on June 1 ahead of the forthcoming ICC World Cup qualifiers that Tanzania will take part in later in the year.

Kamande's target is to improve Tanzania's T20 ranking that is currently at 33 globally and to scale the nation up the African ranking ladder as his charges are currently playing in the continental Division Two.

"My objective is to take Tanzania to top 25 in T20 and playing against Kenya will help to move us closer to the ODI status which we are also aiming for in the near future," he said.

"I'm determined to move Tanzania from the lower tier to the top league where the big boys Kenya, Uganda and Namibia are now battling."

"I know coming from down is tough but we are ready to fight it out. I believe we are able to achieve this if we stretch ourselves beyond our limits and do the right thing," he added. The former right handed Kenyan bowler strongly believes Tanzanian players will get an exclusive opportunity to gauge themselves ahead of the ICC World Cup qualifying fixtures.

"The crunch tie with Kenya will not only improve Tanzania's rankings but be a great learning experience for the Tanzanian players," he said.

"The fixtures will improve the already cordial relationship between the two nations as well as show East African support to its member's states, just the same way all the Asian nations are now behind Nepal who are battling Kenya in the T20 and ODI series in Nairobi."

Kamande, who skippered the Kenya national cricket team in the ICC World Cup in India in 2011, said being appointed Tanzania head coach was such a great honour in his career.

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