Rakep Stars As Kenya Beat Jersey In Ruaraka
Kenya (in green) celebrate a wicket ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League A tournament at the Ruaraka Sports Club in Nairobi. PHOTO/ STAFFORD ONDEGO
NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya started their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League A tournament on a winning note by beating Jersey by 6 wickets at Ruaraka Sports Club in Nairobi on Wednesday.
Former captain Rakep Patel missed a century by 16 runs off 76 balls as the hosts, who had won the toss and decided to bowl first, scored 208 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in the 38.5 overs.
In reply, Jersey notched 207 runs, losing 10 wickets in the taken 48.4 overs.
Following Patel closely in the contest was compatriot Irfan Karim on 58 runs off 86 balls.
Those who dazzled on the visitors side were Jonty Jenner 47/33, Nick Greenwood 41/77 and captain Charles Perchard 37/51.
Patel’s good display saw him bag the man of them match award which send him over the moon.
Kenya (in green) and Jersey in action at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League A tournament at the Ruaraka Sports Club in Nairobi. PHOTO/ STAFFORD ONDEGO
“It’s one of those days today, everything fell in place. It really feels good when you contribute in all departments for your team. Our bowling and batting was also in order,” Patel told sportsdesk.
Patel’s achievement was hailed by team captain Shem Ngoche who was happy with team’s overall performance in the showpiece.
“It’s a super start for us in this tournament, we are now going to recover our muscles in the coming days before we meet Denmark on Sunday.
“I also wants to thank a section of our fans who turned up today to cheer the squad, their support gave us the needed push to win the match,” stated Ngoche who replaced Patel as the team’s skipper following the latter’s recent resignation from the captaincy role.
Jersey captain Perchard admitted the loss to Kenya saying the hosts proved superior in the showdown, but nonetheless he insisted his side still has a big chance in the league.
Other sides also battling in the League A Group are Papua New Guinea, Denmark, Kuwait, Jersey and Qatar.
Kenya (in green) and Jersey in action at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League A tournament at the Ruaraka Sports Club in Nairobi. PHOTO/ STAFFORD ONDEGO
The qualifiers is a three round league series with top two teams proceeding for the World Cup playoffs.
The 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
The 14th edition of the Cricket World Cup in will mark the second time that South Africa and Zimbabwe will have co-hosted the tournament, after the 2003 edition, while Namibia will host it for the first time.
Kenya is also slated to host the ICC T20 World Cup African Qualifiers next month in Nairobi.
