Netherlands down Kenya in close finish

Netherlands sneaked home by two wickets in a rain-hit encounter against Kenya in Voorburg, to register their first points in Intercontinental Cup.

Batting first, Kenya were anchored by Seren Waters' 71 off 100 balls, while the rest of the batting line-up looked to play around him. Debutant and former Cranleigh School team-mate Duncan Allan added 65 with Waters for the second wicket off 16.3 overs to set the platform for the innings. Peter Seelaar then pegged Kenya back with a triple-strike, as 96 for 1 became 127 for 4 by the 34th over. Tanmay Mishra (22) and Irfan Karim (32) - also making his debut - fought back hard to lift their side to 208.

A rain interruption during the innings break meant Netherlands' target was reduced to 196 off 43 overs. The chase got off to a poor start, with Kenya's opening bowlers Lameck Onyango and Lucas Oluoch picking up a wicket apiece to reduce Netherlands to 14 for 2. Michael Swart and Tim Gruijters resisted, but both perished in the 30s to allow Kenya a look at the middle and lower orders.

At 123 for 6, Netherlands were falling behind, but Peter Borren counter-attacked effectively to revive their hopes. He added 53 with Mudassar Bukhari for the seventh wicket, leaving Netherlands needing 20 off 19 balls. Bukhari, who slammed three fours and two sixes in his frenetic 37, hauled his side home with an over to spare.