Karim, Ouma ensure victory for Kenya in rain-interrupted clash

In a rain-affected ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier Super Sixes clash in Rangiora, Kenya claimed a 10-run win over Hong Kong by the Duckworth-Lewis method on Saturday (January 26).

A fourth-wicket stand of 72 between opener Irfan Karim and Morris Ouma helped Kenya register the win after losing Alex Obanda (6) early in its chase. Having been set a target of 255 for victory, Kenya needed 32 off the last 28 deliveries when rain interrupted play, forcing the umpires to end the game in the 46th over. Kenya was declared the winner as it was 10 runs ahead of the par score of 213 at this stage.

Karim hit seven fours in his innings of 82, and partnered Ragheb Aga for the second-wicket stand of 55 to set the base for Kenya’s chase. Medium pacer Irfan Ahmed removed both Aga and Collins Obuya in quick succession, but Karim and Ouma's partnership took the game away from Hong Kong. Karim was dismissed in the 37th over, as Ouma remained unbeaten on 69 till the end.

Earlier, put in to bat, Hong Kong’s innings was rattled by the dismissal of Irfan Ahmed (0) in the first over, when he nicked one to Karim behind the wicket off the bowling of Lameck Onyango. Waqas Barkat (2) fell to Onyango in his next over as Hong Kong found itself tottering at 3 for 2 in 2.3 overs. Captain Jamie Atkinson's innings of 85, studded with nine fours and three sixes helped Hong Kong recover before he was run out in the 37th over. Useful contributions from Mark Chapman (30), Nizakat Khan (23), Tanwir Afzal (22) and Babar hayat, who remained unbeaten on 45 took Hong Kong to a fighting total of 254 for 8 in its 50 overs.

Onyango was the best bowler for Kenya with figures of 4 for 29. Steve Tikolo chipped in with three wickets for 54 in his 10 overs.

Hong Kong will now play Namibia on Tuesday in Rangiora as Kenya take on UAE at Christchurch on Wednesday.