Kenya take command against Uganda

Kenya 102 for 1 (Shah 49*, Modi 20*) trail Uganda 152 by 50 runs
Scorecard

Kenya's junior side recently missed out to Uganda in qualification for the Under-19 World Cup, but today their seniors needed little time to assert their superiority, as they launched their Intercontinental Cup campaign with a emphatic display at Nairobi.

By stumps on the opening day of the match, Kenya were 102 for 1 in reply to Uganda's 152 all out, with Ravindu Shah one short of his half-century, having added 50 for the second wicket with Hitesh Modi. The only casualty of Kenya's innings was Kennedy Otieno, who was trapped lbw by Junior Kwebiha for 31.

Kenya won the toss and chose to bowl first, with Martin Suji soon settling into the same impressive rhythm that underwrote their advance to the World Cup semi-finals last year. He grabbed 2 for 10 in 12 overs, and Thomas Odoyo was also on form, picking up 3 for 27, with all of his victims among Uganda's top five.

Uganda were staring at disaster at 69 for 6, but they were hauled out of the mire by Nand Kishore, who anchored the innings with a grafting 42, and Kenneth Kamyuka, whose 40 from No. 9 was a more free-flowing affair, with three fours and two sixes. Even so, Uganda's total of 152 was no match for Kenya's powerful batting line-up, and they face a struggle if they are to save this game now.