Kenya’s men’s cricket team continued their unbeaten start in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Qualifier B with a five-wicket victory over Rwanda on Sunday at the Nairobi Gymkhana Grounds.
Sachin Bhudia’s standout performance with the bat proved crucial as Kenya overcame early setbacks to secure their second win of the tournament. With this victory, Kenya remains firmly on track to qualify for the next stage of the tournament.
Kenya’s Unbeaten Start Continues
After an impressive 111-run win over Mozambique in their opening match, Kenya was full of confidence heading into their encounter against Rwanda.
However, the hosts found themselves in early trouble while chasing a modest target of 101 runs. Rwanda’s bowlers took advantage of Kenya’s shaky start, dismissing two top-order batters, Pushkar Sharma and Rushab Patel, for a combined one run in the very first over.
Despite the early setbacks, Kenya held their nerve. The early dismissal of Neil Mugabe, who was run out by Yves Cyusa after just 3.3 overs, left Kenya reeling. At that point, with Kenya struggling at 3/12, Rwanda’s bowlers were clearly on top.
However, Kenya’s middle-order batters stepped up to stabilize the innings. Rakep Patel, Saturday’s star performer, provided some stability with 13 runs off 17 balls, before Sachin Bhudia and Irfan Karim took control of the game.
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Sachin Bhudia’s Match-Winning Performance
Sachin Bhudia delivered a spectacular performance, coming on in the eighth over and immediately making an impact. He scored a brilliant 39 runs off just 21 balls, hitting several boundaries to keep Kenya in the hunt. His aggressive play turned the game in Kenya’s favor, lifting the pressure off the hosts.
By the time Bhudia was bowled out by Martin Akayezu, Kenya had reached 97/5, leaving them just four runs shy of the target. Sachin Gill, Bhudia’s replacement, sealed the win with a boundary off the very next ball, securing the five-wicket victory for Kenya.
Bhudia’s heroics with the bat not only helped Kenya recover from a difficult start but also showcased his ability to perform under pressure. His aggressive, fearless batting approach was key to Kenya’s success and cemented his role as a critical player in the team’s journey through the qualifiers.
Kenya won by 5 wickets against Rwanda and that marks the end of day two and kenya has two wins so far, sachin bhudia emerged the player of the match with 39 runs off 21balls #cricketkenya #20africamenswcqualifierb pic.twitter.com/eDbiR0lXJJ
— Cricket Kenya (@CricketKenya) October 20, 2024
Kenya’s Fielding Woes and Rwanda’s Performance
While Kenya ultimately came out on top, there were moments of concern, especially in the fielding department. Sloppy fielding allowed Rwanda to set a competitive target of 100 runs. Vraj Patel’s dropped catch of Didier Ndikubwimana at 20 was a pivotal moment that could have put Rwanda in an even tighter spot. The dropped catch not only gave Rwanda a lifeline but also allowed Ndikubwimana to score four more runs off the deflected ball.
Despite these fielding errors, Kenya’s bowlers did well to contain Rwanda. Lucas Ndandason was the standout bowler, taking two wickets in the innings. Shem Ngoche, Pushkar Sharma, Peter Langat, and Sachin Gill each claimed a wicket to restrict Rwanda to 100/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Rwanda, while not posting a massive total, put up a strong fight. Their bowlers capitalized on Kenya’s early nervousness, and their fielders did well to apply pressure on the Kenyan batters. However, they were unable to sustain the momentum once Bhudia and Karim settled into their rhythm.
Kenya in a Strong Position for Qualification
With this victory, Kenya moved to second place in the six-team standings, tied on points with Zimbabwe but trailing in net run rate. Both teams have won their opening two matches, and their unbeaten streaks have set up an intriguing battle for the top spot as the tournament progresses.
Kenya’s cricket team has been driven by the desire to redeem themselves and return to the international stage. After missing out on major tournaments in recent years, the team’s performance in the ICC T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Qualifiers is a significant step toward their goal of qualifying for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
The strong start to the tournament has bolstered Kenya’s confidence, and if they continue to build on their form, they will be in a prime position to advance to the next stage of the qualifiers.
The Road Ahead for Kenya
Kenya’s men’s cricket team will now focus on their upcoming matches, knowing that maintaining their momentum is key to securing a place in the final qualification stages. The team will need to tighten their fielding and ensure that they do not allow early wickets to disrupt their progress.
With Sachin Bhudia, Irfan Karim, and Rakep Patel showing consistent form, Kenya’s batting lineup looks strong enough to challenge any opposition in the tournament. However, the team must address their fielding lapses and find ways to capitalize on early opportunities to dominate their opponents.
The next few games will be crucial in determining Kenya’s path to the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. With Zimbabwe also in top form, the race for the top spot in the standings will likely come down to which team can maintain their unbeaten streak.
