Preview: A couple of opportunities up for grabs as Kenya face St. Helena

The prolific Pushkar Sharma is set to make his international debut this afternoon when Kenya takes on St. Helena in their opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier A. Sharma made his exploits in Mumbai before showing up for Ruaraka Sports Club in the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) as an all-rounder. However, for the three seasons that followed, it is his batting prowess at the top of the order that shone through. His highlight came last season when he scored 841 runs in 14 innings at a whooping average of 70.08, four centuries and three half centuries therein in the 50 over season.

Sharma is expected to solidify Kenya’s top order alongside Irfan Karim and Collins Obuya who has been a regular at the top since the Nepal series in September 2022. With the absence of the flamboyant Alex Obanda who had been side-lined due to injury, the spotlight will be on Sharma to fit right in.

With Emmanuel Bundi rested, paceman Peter Koech also gets an opportunity to swing the new ball as he makes a return to the side for the first time since his iT20 debut in Uganda in September 2021.

Playing XI

1. Collins Obuya
2. Pushkar Sharma
3. Irfan Karim
4. Rakep Patel
5. Sachin Bhudia
6. Tanzeel Sheikh
7. Nelson Odhiambo
8. Shem Ngoche
9. Lucas Ndandason
10. Peter Koech
11. Vraj Patel
12. Sukhdeep Singh