Karim half ton no respite as Kenya fall to Papua New Guinea

Kenya’s opening batsman, Irfan Karim had a brilliant performance with the bat yesterday, knocking unbeaten half a century in the opening game of the ICC World Cricket League Championship against hosts Papua New Guinea, but his efforts did not stop the home team from winning by six wickets at Port Moresby. Batting first, Kenya set a target of 189 runs by the time all their batsmen were sent back to the pavilion in the 47th over in a scheduled 50 overs game.

HIGHEST RUNS GETTER

Karim was Kenya’s highest runs getter with 73 not out that came off 115 deliveries with seven fours and a six. Karim shared a fourth wicket stand of 56 with skipper Rakep Patel (39) and a fith wicket partnership of (42) with Gurdeep Singh (33).

After that, Karim lacked support as Kenya’s wickets fell like a pack of cards. Nelson Odhiambo (14) was the only other Kenyan batsman who managed to score double-digit figures.

Chad Soper, a right-arm medium fast bowler was Kenya’s main executioner taking five successive wickets. His victims, all of whom were clean-bowled, were Nelson (14), Nehemiah Odhiambo (1), Shem Ngoche (5) Lucas Oluoch (0) and Otieno (2).

In reply, Papua New Guinea were home and dry, 191 with six wickets and 15.3 overs in hand. Assad Vala top-scored for the hosts with a quick unbeaten 69 that came of 70 deliveries with eight boundaries.

W. Morea was the other batsman who scored half a century (53). L. Saka (24) and M.D.Dai (27) were also impressive with the bat.
Kenya’s wicket takers were Nehemiah (2/31), Otieno (1/50) and Shem Ngoche (1/40).

Today is rest day. Kenya will play their second and last game against PNG tomorrow which they must win to keep the hope of finishing in top four at the end of next year.