ICC Africa Region Division One T20, 3rd Place Play-off: Nigeria v Kenya at Kampala, July 15, 2011 – 1st innings report
Kenya and Nigeria contested each other in the ICC Africa Region Division One T20, 3rd place play-off scheduled to be played at Lugogo Cricket Oval, Kampala (neutral venue).
The fixture started at 0900 local time today, on July 15, 2011. Nigerian captain, Ademola Onikoyi won the toss and elected to field first.
The young opening duo, Duncan Allan and Jignesh Hirani commenced the Kenyan batting innings. Seemingly, Kenya had a good start today as the openers put up a solid 35-run first-wicket partnership off 30 balls with a run rate of 7.00. Allan was the man to
return to the pavilion after he edged one to Nigerian wicketkeeper, Ademola Onikoyi, off the bowling of Kunle Adegbola.
Kenyan wicketkeeper, Irfan Karim was the next man in to support Jignesh Hirani; however, Hirani’s stay at the wicket was shortened by Oluseye Olympio as Olajide Bejide caught him on 11 off 12 balls.
Rushabh Patel joined Karim at the crease with Kenya on a total of 37 for 2 down. Patel was unable to contribute much as he was caught and bowled by Ramit Gill; however, Karim remained steadfast and ended the match with an unbeaten knock of 55 runs off 49
balls.
Karim did not relinquish his position as wickets kept tumbling on the other end. After Patel, Rahul Vishram was the next man in. Vishram did hit a boundary and a six for his 18 off 16, but he was bowled out shortly by Gill, leaving Kenya on 115 for the loss
of 4.
Harrison Angila provided some much needed support to Karim after Vishram’s departure. Angila powered to 27 off just 7 balls, with an astonishing strike rate of 385.71. His aggregate included six massive hits out of the park. Unfortunately his bashing came
to an untimely end as he was run-out by a direct hit from Olympio.
By the time Angila was sent back, Kenya had amassed a total of 144, thanks to his whirlwind knock and a consistent show by wicketkeeper Karim. Joseph Ochieng was the next batsman to accompany Karim and contributed 11 runs to the team’s total. He knocked
11 runs off 7 deliveries and retuned unbeaten to the pavilion along with the highest scoring wicket-keeper.
Kenya displayed a nice show today as compared to their previous fixtures and concluded the innings at a sufficient total of 162 runs at the loss of 5 wickets.
Ramit Gill of Nigeria took 2 wickets while Adegbola and Olympio shared one wicket each. Nigeria will have to chase a target of 163 runs at a run rate of 8.10 runs per over.
This fixture is the second last match of the tournament which is also a third place decider. The winner will earn the 3rd spot in the tour records after the finalists Nigeria and Uganda.