Overview

Ranked 29th in the MRF Tyres ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings, Kenya face a stiff challenge to qualify for the T20 World Cup in Australia.

They are balanced on paper, with the experience of captain Shem Ngoche and Collins Obuya married to youth of players such as Sachin Bhudia and Pushpak Kerai. If the two can come together and fire in unison, it could do Kenya's chances a world of good.

How they got here

Kenya finished second in the hard-fought T20 World Cup Africa Regional Finals, level on points with Namibia, but behind on net run rate.

T20WC history

They participated in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, but suffered heavy defeats at the hands of New Zealand and Sri Lanka in their two games.

Key player

Collins Obuya – A giant of Kenyan cricket, Obuya has recorded some of the finest performances by anyone for his country on the world stage. His performances will likely go a long way to making or breaking Kenya's competition.

One to watch

Dhiren Gondaria – One of a number of youngsters in the squad, at 23 years old Gondaria already boasts impressive T20 stats. His average of 29.08, paired with a strike rate of 136, readily explains his opening spot in the team. The highlight of his career to date was a sparkling 78 from 47 balls during last year's Africa T20 Cup against rivals Namibia.

Fixtures

18 October: v Netherlands, ICC Academy, Dubai

19 October: v Scotland, ICC Global Cricket Academy No.2, Dubai

21 October: v Bermuda, ICC Academy, Dubai

23 October: v Singapore, ICC Global Cricket Academy No.2, Dubai

25 October: v Namibia, Dubai International Stadium, Dubai

27 October: v Papua New Guinea, Dubai International Stadium, Dubai

Squad

Shem Ngoche (c), Sachin Bhudia, Emmanuel Bundi, Aman Gandhi, Dhiren Gondaria, Irfan Karim, Pushpak Kerai, Jasraj Kundi, Alex Obanda, Collins Obuya, Nelson Odhiambo, Lucas Oluoch, Elijah Otieno, Rakep Patel, Rushab Patel