Milestones galore as Kenya extend lead in Kigali

Kenya maximized on yet another opportunity to record outstanding performances at the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Qualifier Africa A in Kigali, Rwanda to record their highest T20i total as they went on to beat Lesotho by 167 runs at the IPRC Oval.

Electing to bat, Kenya powered on to 5/237, their highest T20i total that broke their earlier set two-day old record of 6/209 against Malawi at Gahanga Stadium.

A day after Peter Langat made a career best of 6/17 against Mali, Nelson Odhiambo landed another career landmark with his maiden T20i half century. Promoted to bat at three, Odhiambo top scored with 67 off 29 balls, his innings inclusive of three sixes and eight boundaries before is stumps were rattled by Waseem Yaqoob with the final ball of his torturous quota that went for 62 runs.

Rushabh Patel and Sukhdeep Singh put on an 82-run opening partnership. Photo courtesy of RCA.

Rushabh Patel extended his fine form from yesterday to also put up his maiden half century in the format with a 34-ball 63 as he piled on eight boundaries and a sole maximum. Further, Patel put on a spectacular 82-run opening stand with tournament debutant Sukhdeep Singh, who looked lithe with the bat with 31 of 26 balls, five boundaries therein.

In return, Kenya once again outspan their opponents who managed only 70 runs before being bundled out with 28 balls to spare. Yakoob's redemption story at the top of the order lasted 11 overs before Rakep Patel bagging him for 27 off 30 balls and Yahya Jakda in two consecutive balls. Earlier, Mpiti Lerotholi had also looked set to go the mile but Shem Ngoche accounted for him as he lofted one to Rakep Patel at mid on in the 4th over for 22 off 14.

Shem Ngoche was the pick of the bowlers with 3/16. Photo courtesy of RCA

None of the remaining batters managed double figures, four of them recording ducks as the Kenyan bowlers ran through the mid - bottom order.

Ngoche was once again the pick of the bowlers with 3/16 from his three overs with Peter Langat and Vraj Patel picking two-a-piece; Molai Matsau and Jakda replicating the same for Lesotho.

This was Kenya's third win in the tournament to bring the point tally to 8 as they perch at the top of the table.

Kenya's next match is against Botswana on Thursday, 24th November at 1:45 pm at the Gahanga Satadium.

Kenya spin hosts to victory as rain abates

Kenya made it two in two in classic style on day 4 of the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Qualifier Africa A tournament in Kigali, Rwanda to go straight to the top of the table.

The left arm orthodox duo of Shem Ngoche (3/16) and Vraj Patel (2/8) led the charge as the hosts were bundled out for 9/87 in the first innings. Ngoche got rid of openers Orchide Tuyisenge and Eric Dusingizimana two balls apart in the second over with only seven runs between them, before picking up skipper Clinton Rubagumya (1) in his next over to have Rwanda keeling at 3/17.

The hosts tried to rebuild their innings but Vraj Patel soon had top scorer Wilson Niyitanga (17) edging to Collins Obuya at slips in the 11th over to break the partnership as Rakep Patel picked out his partner Eric Niyomugabo (13) to have him edging behind to Irfan Karim in the next over.

Rushabh Patel went ham on the Rwandese bowlers, hammering 45 off 32 balls inclusive of 3 towering sixes and two boundaries before returning a magnificent running catch to Emmanuel Sebareme in the 10th over. Further, Patel put on an opening stand of 82 runs with veteran Collins Obuya (37 off 30) who stayed on to take the team over the line with a well deserved maximum.

The win propels Kenya to the top of the table with six points from four matches with Rwanda dropping to second place with four points from three matches.

Langat rocks Mali for six

Peter Langat’s sensational 6/17 was the cherry on top as Kenya went on to hammer tournament debutants, Mali by 10 wickets at the IPRC Oval in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup sub Regional Africa Qualifier A tournament in Kigali, Rwanda.

Playing in his first ICC T20i tournament and only his second time to represent the country in the format, Langat attributes his brilliant performance to persistence and is grateful for the results. "Persistence can change failure into an extraordinary achievement," he says. "It has been about having clear plans and looking to execute them as best as possible and I'm happy that in this instance, it translated to performance." added Langat.

Electing to bat, Mali were no match for the tournament’s favourite, losing 5/4 after their first wicket, Langat running rampage with four of the wickets.

Mali recorded six ducks as they set Kenya a flimsy target of 31 runs to win, chased down in just 15 balls for no loss.

The win also ends a frustrating start to the tournament that saw the first two matches against St. Helena and Malawi abandoned without a result.

With the win, Kenya adds two points to get to four points right next to table toppers, Rwanda, with Botswana losing to Malawi and dropping to third with three points.

Kenya face hosts, Rwanda in their afternoon match.

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