Kenyans battling injuries

NAIROBI, Sept 1 AAP - It's hard enough for Kenya to compete against Australia and Pakistan in the triangular cricket tournament here but a couple of injuries have made things even worse for the host nation.

Michael Donaldson

01-Sep-2002

Kenya lost promising all-rounder Hitesh Modi after the first game against Pakistan when he had a finger broken by Shoaib Akhtar.

And ahead of today's loss to Pakistan, opener Ravindu Shah broke his big toe when batting in the nets.

In some pain, he still went out - bravely or foolishly - to face Shoaib and Wasim Akram with the new ball but made just one run off eight balls.

It didn't help Kenya's cause as it lost by seven wickets, Pakistan making 3-181 in reply to Kenya's 179.

Kenya coach Sandeep Patil said Shah would take no further part in the tournament after having a fracture diagnosed.

"It's very sad for those two players because matches like this come our way only now and then," Patil said.

He hoped both players would be fit for the Champions Trophy in Colombo where Kenya takes on South Africa and the West Indies.

Pakistan captain Waqar Younis was happier with a better showing from his side but was still concerned his fast bowlers gave away 18 extra runs (12 wides and six no balls).

But Pakistan has bowled first in all three games so far and Waqar said the cool, overcast conditions made it difficult to control the ball.

"The ball is really hard to control in the early morning - that's why it's a little difficult for Wasim (Akram) in particular to get control of it."

Shoaib, handed the new ball for the first time in the tournament, looked menacing as he bowled at close to his fastest, clocking one ball at 156kph.

Pakistan was in a little trouble at 3-54 but a partnership of 127 between Younis Khan (87 not out) and Misbah-Ul-Haq (50 not out) got it home in the 39th over.

Australia, meanwhile, named an unchanged team for the match against Kenya, which starts today at 9.30am (4.30pm AEST).

Australia