Pakistan score four-wicket
win over Kenya
Despite some lacklustre batting, Pakistan beat Kenya by four wickets with 16.3 overs to spare
in the first match of the one-day international tournament in Nairobi, Kenya, on Thursday.
Chasing 134 to win after dismissing Kenya in 30.3 overs, Pakistan lost two early wickets when Saeed Anwar was out for a
duck in the first over, caught by David Obuya off the bowling of Martin Suji, and Imran Nazir was bowled by Thomas Odoyo in the fourth over for 13.
Shahid Afridi came in at number three and blasted 27 off 22 balls, including two huge sixes and three fours, before he
was caught by Odoyo off Martin Suji in the ninth over.
Younis Khan and Azhar Mahmood pushed Pakistan past 50, but
Mahmood was run-out for nine in the 18th over with the score
on 61.
Four overs later, Abdul Razzaq was bowled by Joseph Angara
for one. Younis Khan was out in the 28th over, trapped leg
before wicket by Collins Obuya for 36, leaving Pakistan on 97
for six.
But Inzamam ul Haq and Rashid Latif saw Pakistan home,
with Latif hitting a six to finish the match.
Latif ended 28 not out off 22 balls, while Inzamam was 14
not out.
After winning the toss, Pakistan had chosen to bowl first
in cloudy conditions. Opener Kennedy Obuya top scored for
Kenya with a battling 36 as Pakistan made light work of the
Kenyan batting line up.
Razzaq and Wasim Akram were the best of the Pakistani
bowlers, with Razzaq taking four wickets for 35 off his eight
overs, while Akram took three for 29 off seven overs.
Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis got the first breakthrough,
trapping Ravindu Shah (2) leg before wicket in the fourth over.
Akram then claimed three quick wickets, trapping both
Kenyan captain Steve Tikolo (0) and Thomas Odoyo (4) leg
before wicket and bowling Maurice Odumbe for a duck, leaving
Kenya on 30 for four in the ninth over.
Just 36 runs - mostly extras - came in the first 10 overs. But Obuya and Hitesh Modi steadied the innings and
increased the run rate, taking Kenya past 100 in the 19th
over, before Modi was forced off the field after being hit on
the finger by fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar. Modi made 34 off 32
balls and shared a partnership of 71 with Obuya.
Obuya was joined by brother David who faced five balls
before being caught by Younis off Razzaq for a duck.
The third Obuya brother in the Kenyan team, Collins, was
next out for one, leaving Kenya struggling on 104 for six.
Razzaq bowled Kennedy Obuya in the 24th over, and Modi
came back on to the field but was caught behind by Rashid
Latif off the same bowler one over later without adding to his
score. Obuya's 36 came off 72 balls.
Tony Suji ended not out 17 as Kenya was bowled out with
nearly 20 overs left.
Pakistan take on Australia on Friday.
Mail Cricket Editor
