Alam steers Pakistan to victory

Pakistan Cricket Academy 277 (Manzoor 123, Varaiya 4-66) and 365 for 6 (Alam 108*, Manzoor 98) beat Kenya 372 (Tikolo 170, Ouma 79, Anwar 7-79) and 268 (Tikolo 94) by four wickets
Scorecard

A stiff target of 364 was overhauled as Pakistan Cricket Academy beat Kenya by four wickets at Nairobi Gymkhana, thanks largely to an unbeaten 108 from Fawad Alam, who made the home side pay for dropping him twice in an over. The win maintained the Academy's unbeaten record on their African tour.

There was no doubt that the Kenyans were hampered by the absence of their captain Steve Tikolo, who sat the day out after injuring his thumb. But after a full-strength side set such a stiff target, the manner of the loss will be a further concern for the Kenyan selectors

Resuming on 76 for 2, Pakistan reached 141 for 2 when Anwar Ali was dismissed for 37. Manzoor, the Pakistan captain, was in sight of his second hundred of the game, but fell two short as left-arm spinner Hiren Varaiya took a catch off his own bowling.

Khurram Manzoor had anchored the innings till then, and fortunately for Pakistan, the chase didn't fall apart once he was out. Raheel Majeed joined Alam at the crease, and scored runs at brisk rate to push Pakistan towards their target. Majeed scored 42 in a partnership of 87 with Alam, before he was caught behind off Alfred Luseno.

Alam then took charge of the chase, and received good support from Ali Asad (23) and Naeem Anjum (21 not out). He benefited from Kenya's sloppiness when Jimmy Kamande dropped him off a return catch and two deliveries later wicketkeeper Maurice Ouma put another chance down.

Alam added 50 along with Asad, and went past his hundred as Pakistan reached their target in 111.4 overs.

The teams head to Mombasa for the second four-day match starting on Friday.