Kenya edge Uganda in world cricket qualifiers

Irfan Karim clears the ball in a past international match against Hong Kong. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya yesterday held the nerve to beat Uganda by one run and inch closer to qualifying for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Twenty20 World Cup Qualifier to be held later this year in the United Arab Emirates. 

 

Not even the large crowds that thronged Lugogo Cricket Oval could stop the Kenyans from sealing their third win of the ongoing ICC T20 Africa finals. Today, they take on Botswana with a victory earning them a place in the global qualifier.

Impressive performances from Rakep Patel with the bat, Elijah Otieno and Nelson Odhiambo with the ball anchored Kenya to victory. 

Kenya won the toss and elected to bat but their opening duo of Dhiren Gondaria and Alex Obanda failed the test of Uganda’s top bowler Charles Waiswa.

The duo fell to Waiswa who seemed to understand two well their batting styles having played for Stray Lions in Kenya’s Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) leagues for several seasons.

Waiswa gave Kenya a start they never wished for setting up Obanda to be caught by Roger Mukasa who has also played for Stray Lions on a duck with the fourth ball of the match.

Gondaria who has been instrumental in Kenya’s previous assignments was second to fall in the hands of Waiswa who bowled him out in 2.5 overs with the score at 15 for the loss of two wickets.

Wicketkeeper Irfan Karim (28) balls and Collins Obuya (21) third wicket stabilized Kenya’s innings holding on into the 13th over but their Dinesh Nakrani got Karim caught with the score at 63.

Rakep Patel formed a fourth-wicket stand with Obuya but Nakrani could not let it last as he got the latter caught in 14.1 overs for 70. Obuya paved way for skipper Shem Ngoche (22) who was Waiswa’s third casualty together with Rakep steadied Kenya’s innings.

Evergreen Rakep cracked the smashed five sixes and three boundaries for an impressive unbeaten 51 to see Kenya score 145 for the loss of six wickets.

In Uganda’s innings, Otieno and Odhiambo took three wickets each while Ngoche and Obuya took one each. Riazat Ali Shah top-scored for Uganda with 44 not out while Hamu Kayondo scored 31 from 23 deliveries.

At Kyambogo Oval, favourites Namibia beat Botswana by ten wickets to consolidate their lead on the standings. Bowling first, Namibia made light work of Botswana and in only 12.1 overs, they were all out for 46.

In their innings, are all Namibia openers Nokolaas Davin and Stephan Baard needed to seal their third victory and remain on course to earn their ticket to the ICC qualifier.

In another tie, Nigeria registered their first victory after beating Ghana by 28 runs.

Today’s fixtures
Nigeria v Namibia (9:30am)
Botswana v Kenya (9:30am)
Uganda v Ghana (1:30pm)