Canada lost a critical opening match to Kenya at the World T20 qualifier today. They failed to take advantage of a fine 83 run opening partnership between Cheema and Gunasekera, and could not contain Kenya’s chase of a modest 143 run target. They next play Oman on July 12.
Here in overcast Edinburgh, Kenya have won the toss and will bowl first
#wt20q #CANvKEN pic.twitter.com/CHT2UvDRox
— ICC (@ICC) July 10, 2015
Canada got off to a slow start after being put in, with only one boundary and 16 runs from the opening four overs. Gunasekera however hit consecutive sixes as the fifth over yielded 19 runs. Cheema got going in the next over, and another 19 runs came off it, bringing up the fifty. The opening partnership reached 83 before Cheema (35) was caught in the 10th over. Gunasekera completed his half-century but was bowled for 51, and Kumar managed just 5. Patel (25) and Dhaliwal (16) put on 38, but then both were dismissed with the score on 135 in the 18th over, and the final total of 143 was disappointing given Canada had 83 runs on the board after 9 overs.
After a flying start, Canada are restricted to 143 for 5 from 20 Overs following a good comeback from Kenya #wt20q pic.twitter.com/sURkArj5cE
— ICC (@ICC) July 10, 2015
Kenya too got off to a good start, but Jeremy Gordon had Patel caught and then bowled Odhiambo – 49/2 in the 7th over. Saad Bin Safar had Collins Obuya leg before, and with 10 overs to go Kenya needed 84 runs. Irfan Karim took control making a hard-hitting 74, and partnered by Morris Ouma (34) guided Kenya to a comfortable victory.
Scorecard
Kenya score a stunning 7 wicket comeback win over Canada to get off to a winning start in Pool B #wt20q #CANvKEN pic.twitter.com/vwFNP7MNrO
— ICC (@ICC) July 10, 2015