Kenya are the toast of the ongoing Dafabet Pearl Of Africa T20 Tri-Series being hosted at Entebbe Oval, having won their opening two matches in convincing fashion – beating neighbors Uganda by 22 runs and following it up with a eight-wicket triumph over Nigeria.
The event featuring hosts Uganda, their neighbours Kenya and Nigeria is being staged in partnership with Dafabet and is scheduled to run until 17th September.
On the opening day action against the Cricket Cranes, who had mixed fortunes, the Kenyans took advantage of the hosts’ failure to put their game together.
The Kenyans had won the toss and opted to bat as they sought a decent total on a slow and wet field following some showers at the Entebbe Oval and they indeed succeeded despite losing Alex Obanda, whose wicket was felled by Bilal Hassun early on.
But the Kenyans’ ship was steadied with the strong partnership of Irfan Karim (61) and Gurdeep Bhagat (27) in the second wicket.
Ugandans’ chase, ultimately, fell short as they were swiftly dispatched, getting down to 23/3 inside five overs. Only Riaza Ali Shah (31) and Brian Masaba (10) managed double figures for the hosts’ as they crumbled at home.
Nigeria, who had lost their opening encounter with the hosts, faced Kenya on the back of little time to rest or even train following their flight into Entebbe.
The Nigerians won the toss and chose to bat, openers Chimezie Onwuzulike (17) and Daniel Ajekun (17) giving them a solid start with an opening 32 inside four overs but they dissipated quickly once the first wicket fell and not even the late rally by Peter Aho (26) and Mustapha Yusuf (16) could save the Nigerians from the Kenyan onslaught.
Kenya’s chase was anchored by Alex Obanda (37) and his opening partner Gurdeep Bhagat (44), who took care of business immediately with a 64 run stand inside five overs. The victory was guaranteed as Irfan Karim (9 not out) and Rushabhvardhan Patel (12 not out) ensured the eight-wicket triumph.
Action is ongoing on Monday, with Kenya playing Nigeria in the afternoon fixture.
Kenya are the bookies’ favorites on Dafabet live odds, the East Africans hoping to restrict the Nigerians battlers who are chasing the 162/5 from their 20 overs.
PHOTO/COURTESY
