African Championship: Zimbabwe and Kenya into African Final (17 October 1998)

17 October 1998

African Championship: Zimbabwe and Kenya into African Final

Rick Eyre in CricInfo365

The final of the inaugural African Cricket Association Championships will be played in Windhoek, Namibia today between Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Kenya, fielding their full squad in this tournament, defeated the South African developmental side by 95 runs in their semi-final on Thursday. Kenya scored 310 in their fifty overs. Tony Suji top-scored with 89 while Maurice Odumbe (81*) and Thomas Odoyo (50*) were unbeaten at the end of the innings. South Africa were all out for 215, Amla Ahmed being top score with 50.

Though not among the top players in the semi-final, Hitesh Modi has been Kenya's outstanding player of the tournament so far, with scores in the group matches of 84 against Botswana, 70* against Uganda and 104* against Zimbabwe, winning the man-of-the-match award in all three.

Zimbabwe, like South Africa fielding a developmental team in this tournament, won Thursday's other semi-final against the host nation. Namibia, batting first, came back from 82 for 5 to finish their fifty overs with 242 for nine. Deon Kotze was top score with 62 from 87 balls. Zimbabwe scored the required runs with four wickets and 14 balls to spare. The opening pair Douglas Marillier (83 from 92 balls) and Mark Vermuelen (59 from 44 balls) got the Zimbabweans to a winning lead.

The third place playoff was scheduled to be played on Friday between Namibia and South Africa.

Source :: CricInfo365