Kenya defeat Hong Kong by 10 runs (D/L Method) in Super Six action

At the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2014 in New Zealand, Kenya have beaten Hong Kong by 10 runs (Duckworth/Lewis method) in a rain-affected Super Six match played at Rangiora.

Hong Kong recovered from a poor start to post a respectable 254-8 from their fifty overs thanks to a brave knock from their skipper Jamie Atkinson who led his side out of a precarious situation that saw them lose both openers with just three runs on the board. Atkinson shared in two valuable partnerships worth 91 and 51 runs with Mark Chapman (30) and Nizakat Khan (23) respectively before being run out for 85, scored from 103 balls. Once again, Hong Kong's middle-order batsmen all got useful starts but none was able to push on for a big score. Babar Hayat finished with a useful 45* and a late flourish from Nadeem Ahmed (20*) helped Hong Kong reach 254 from their 50 overs.

Lameck Onyango did the early damage for Kenya grabbing four wickets for 29 runs from his ten over spell while veteran Steve Tikolo also picked up three wickets.

Opening batsman Irfan Karim led Kenya's reply with a solid 82 from 98 balls, after the early loss of his partner, Obanda for 6. Karim found good support from Ragheb Aga (28) in a second wicket partnership worth 55 runs, before Irfan Ahmed grabbed two quick wickets to get Hong Kong back in the match. With Kenya at 3-94 in the 24th over, Hong Kong was still in the game but a 72-run fourth wicket partnership between Karim and Morris Ouma (69*) effectively won it for the Africans. Karim fell with the score at 166 but another unbeaten 57-run stand between Ouama and skipper Rakep Patel (24*) saw Kenya reach 223 when rain forced players from the ground. No further play was possible and Kenya was declared winners, being 10 runs ahead of the required score under the Duckworth/Lewis Method.

Match Summary: Hong Kong 254-8 from 50 overs (Jamie Atkinson 85, Mark Chapman 30, Babar Hayat 45*; Lameck Onyango 4-29, Steve Tikolo 3-54) lost to Kenya 223-4 from 45.2 overs (Irfan Karim 82, Morris Ouma 69*) by 10 runs (D/L Method) [Full scorecard]

In other action today, UAE thrashed PNG by 150 runs to go top of the Super Six points table while the match between Scotland and Namibia will resume tomorrow after being interrupted by rain with Namibia on 59-2 after 12.1 overs chasing Scotland's 279-9. In play-off action, Netherlands beat Nepal by 7 wickets and Canada beat Uganda by 59 runs (D/L method) in another rain-affected match

Hong Kong's next match will be against Namibia at Rangiora on 28th January 2014 (start time 0530 HKT).