Shah guides Kenya into semi-finals

Kenya 258 and 259 for 3 (Shah 187*) drew with Namibia 357 for 6 dec and 202 for 5 dec (LJ Burger 74*, AJ Burger 50)
Scorecard

A five-hour unbeaten 187 from Ravindu Shah enabled Kenya to draw their Intercontinental Cup match against Namibia in Nairobi, and so progress to a semi-final clash with Scotland in Sharjah next month.

Shah's century - the fifth in a first-class career in which he averages in the mid forties - not only blunted the Namibian attack, but also silenced the vocal taunting of the Kenyans which had marred long periods on the first two days.

Namibia batted for an hour in the morning, extending their lead to 301 before declaring and giving themselves two-and-a-half sessions to bowl out Kenya for a second time. They struck early, Bernie Burger trapping Malhar Patel leg-before for 16, but what this Kenyan side lacked in experience they more than made up for in determination.

Although Brijal Patel fell shortly after lunch, Shah and Amit Bhudia (31) survived the remainder of the afternoon session as Namibia opted to persevere with the spinners. Bhudia batted through more than 50 overs even though he had four stiches on the middle finger of his right hand. He was finally dismissed soon after tea, but Rageb Aga kept the impressive Shah company until Namibia's captain Deon Kotze decided they had had enough and called things off with ten overs remaining.

"I'm very very proud of the boys," said a delighted Andy Moles, the Kenya coach. "They played with a spirit, determination and passion that I have not seen in along time. Ravindu led from the from the front, his partnership with Amit Bhudia deflated the Namibians. It's a wonderful result after an extremely stressful week."