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Odumbe leads Kenya to two-run win

Kenya posted a thrilling two-run win over Pakistan A in the first match of the triangular series at the Sir Ali Muslim Club Ground in Nairobi

Wisden Cricinfo staff
12-Aug-2004


Maurice Odumbe: a handy contribution with both bat and ball © Getty Images
Kenya 196 for 8 (Odumbe 64*) beat Pakistan A 194 (Qaiser 69*) by 2 runs
Scorecard
Kenya posted a thrilling two-run win over Pakistan A in the first match of the triangular series at the Sir Ali Muslim Club Ground in Nairobi. Chasing 197 for victory, Pakistan were in a deep hole, at 151 for 6 with just five overs to go. Qaiser Abbas then smashed 21 off the penultimate over to give Kenya a huge scare, but with nine needed off the last over, Pakistan A lost three wickets in successive balls and fell just two runs short.
Earlier in the day, persistent drizzle had seen the match reduced to a 35-over contest. After sending Kenya in, the Pakistanis made full use of the overcast conditions and ripped through the top order. Ravindu Shah was the first man out, falling to a brilliant one-handed catch by Kamran Akmal behind the stumps.
The other opener, Kennedy Obuya, opened his account with a crisp boundary but was kept in check by the pace of Rao Iftikhar Anjum at the other end. He eventually edged one to the slips where Taufeeq Umar snapped up a smart low catch.
Maurice Odumbe rescued the situation with a composed 64 and took Kenya to 196. Though it wasn't a formidable total, it proved just enough. Qaiser, who nearly took the Pakistanis home with some big hits, was declared the Man of the Match.
Kenya take on India A, the third team in the series, in the second match at the Ruaraka Sports Club on Thursday.