Canada wins a thriller in Toronto

Canada 235 (Qaiser Ali 91*, Ondongo 4-49) and 286 (Barnett 136, Bagai 57, Odhiambo 5-54) beat Kenya 231 (Mishra 83*, Osinde 4-51, Bhatti 4-82) and 265 (Obuya 89, Tikolo 50, Bhatti 6-56) by 25 runs
Scorecard

Geoff Barnett and Umar Bhatti with Richard Done © ICC

Very seldom do multi day games provide the suspense and drama from start to finish like this match did. For three days Canada and Kenya fought for the upper hand with each refusing to give an inch, today was no different and the hometown fans had to wait until the last hour of play to celebrate a narrow victory by 25 runs.

This game was full of outstanding moments on both sides; even the panel selecting the Man of the Man had difficulty and eventually award the honor to two instead of the traditional one player.

When play started today Kenya needed 246 runs to win with eight wickets in hand. Captain Steve Tikolo and Tony Suji crafted a 75 run partnership before Tikolo's counterpart, John Davison cleaned bowled him right after he had made his half century. For Davison it was his only wicket in the match but a very important one indeed. Suji (33) left shortly afterwards with the score at 114.

Team Canada © ICC

Hitesh Modi was joined by Collins Obuya and this pair added a useful stand of 53 before Modi gave a return chance to Ravishankan, he was nine runs short of his half century.

Obuya was joined by Tanmay Mishra the hero of Kenya's first innings, but with only 16 added to the total, Mishra gave the Canadian spinner Ravishankan his third wicket of the day.

At this point the Canadians seem to have the upper hand but Tommy Odoyo joined Collins Obuya and once again the partnership of 39 stalled the Canadian progress and brought the target within reach. Both quickies were brought back into the attack with the new ball but the pitch, which was erroneously described as green and slightly unprepared before the match proved to be no friend of the bowlers giving them very little to work with.

Finally it was left arm quickie Umar Bhatti who took matters in his hands. First he had Odoyo removed with a brilliant catch by Geoff Barnett and then got both Odhiambo and Ongondo to nick chances into the wicket keeper's glove.

Collins Obuya © ICC

Obuya realizing he was running out of partners had stepped up his scoring and the target was slowly creeping into sight. But it was just too much of a task with only one partner left Obuya followed an Umar Bhatti out swinger and gave a chance to the safe hands of Geoff Barnett who made no mistake in holding his fourth catch of the match.

Obuya was 11 runs short of his century and Kenya 25 runs short of victory.

Fans saw a terrific match between two of the top Associate countries.

Canada's 20 points in this match should be a great boost as they try to qualify for the final. Kenya's loss and failure to get any points out of this match is a severe blow to their chances of moving forward from this group. Canada's next match will be against their region rivals Bermuda at the same venue August 12-15.

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