Tikolo gives Kenya the edge
Captain Steve Tikolo plays a sweep shot against the visiting Pakistan Academy at the Nairobi Gymkhana on Monday. Tikolo made 94 Monday to add to his 170 in the first innings as Kenya set the tourists 364 to win. The Pakistanis were 72 for two, 287 runs behind going into the final day of play today. Photo/CHRIS OMOLLO
Kenya’s captain Steve Tikolo took full charge of batting against the visiting Pakistan Academy at Nairobi Gymkhana Monday for the second consecutive day and missed another century by six runs.
Tikolo knocked a huge hundred in the first innings (170) and ended the second day of batting with a handsome contribution of 264 runs in two innings to the team’s score (372 & 268 all out).
At the end of day three Pakistan Academy, who scored 277 all out in the first innings were 76 for two in the second innings chasing 364 to win. Khurram Manzoor maintained his good form ending the day with unbeaten 52. He will resume batting this morning along with Anwar Ali who was one not out.
Hiren Varaiya (1-4) and Elijah Otieno added (1-29) one more wicket to their credit yesterday.
The two umpires, Narendra Dave and David ‘Pamba’ Odhiambo called off the match six overs shot yesterday because of bad light. The tourists need 288 with eight wickets on hand to win. They have the whole day to reach the target.
Tikolo also had a brilliant performance with the ball as well taking three wickets for 63. He was supported by Peter Ong’ondo with three for 29, and Hiren Varaiya with four for 66.
Anwar Ali was the academy’s highest wicket taker with ten wickets for 147 off 38.5 overs with four maidens. He took three wickets in Kenya’s second innings. His victims included Kennedy Obuya whom he had caught by Naeem Anjum for six. He also had Thomas Odoyo caught by Anjum for nine and got Alfred Luseno caught by Asad Shafiq for 18.
Luseno put on a tenth wicket partnership of 36 with Elijah Otieno who was unbeaten on 20.
Curtains for the first four dayer come down today and the next game between the two teams is set for Mombasa Sports Club from Friday.
Australia’s cricketers are still waiting to learn whether they will proceed with their planned tour of India following a series of bombings that killed at least 20 people in New Delhi at the weekend.
The Australian government has issued a travel warning about visiting India but said the final decision on whether the players should tour would be left to Cricket Australia.
(Additional reporting by Reuters)
