Canada lost their second one day match against Kenya, posting a respectable target, but Kenya, led by 20 year-old Irfan Karim’s 112 chased it down with ease.
Canada chose to bat upon winning the toss in their second World Cricket League one-day international in Dubai and put up a decent total of 253/9, thanks to an all-round effort from the batsmen. Rizwan Cheema returned to opening but it was Hiral Patel who went on the offensive, with four boundaries in the first two overs. Cheema soon got in on the act and the fifty came up after just 6 overs. They put on 95 before Patel (36) was caught behind. Cheema followed shortly afterwards but he will be relieved to be back in the runs with an excellent 55, with 8 fours and a six. Hansra was bowled for 12, and Gunasekera who looked in good form was caught at cover for 24. Raza-ur-Rehman made 51 at a run a ball before being caught in the deep, and Daesrath contributed a useful 40. Wickets tumbled and only 12 runs came from the last 5 overs – the final total of 253/9 could have been substantially better if one of the batsmen had managed to stay in and finish the innings.
Rayyan Pathan, making his ODI debut had a warm welcome from Obanda, who hit a four and a six in a 15 run over. Osinde started well, troubling Karim and then having Obanda dropped twice at slip. He eventually got his man when Obanda (29) edged to the keeper. Kenya’s 50 came up in the same over. Canada turned to spin early and this slowed the run rate. Ouma fell to Daesrath with the score on 123, but Karim and Obuya put together a well-paced big partnership. Karim completed an accomplished century, and Obuya a half-century before both were dismissed by Pathan with Kenya on the brink of victory. They completed an easy 6 wicket win with 2 overs remaining.
The two losses to Kenya this week sees Canada at the foot of the World Cricket League Division One standings with a record of one win and seven defeats. Canada’s win was against Namibia in April 2012 when Durand Soraine took three wickets for 25 runs and Jimmy Hansra top-scored with 49 runs.
Kenya moves into fourth place, just ahead of Scotland on net run rate, with a record of four wins and four defeats. Ireland and the UAE have each won five and lost one match to head the standings with 10 points. Afghanistan moved to third place, also with 10 points due to two wins against Scotland. The Afghans have won five and lost three.
Canada hosts the UAE and the Netherlands during the 2013 home cricket season.