Kenya’s men’s cricket team concluded their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-regional Qualifier B tournament on a bittersweet note, suffering a 61-run loss to an unbeaten Zimbabwe side at Nairobi Gymkhana Grounds. Despite this defeat, Kenya’s overall performance, which included four consecutive victories, earned them a spot in the 2025 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Finals, bringing them one step closer to the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The defeat against Zimbabwe on Thursday, October 24, was their only loss in the tournament. Finishing in second place with eight points, Kenya’s consistency throughout the qualifiers was enough to ensure their progression to the next phase of qualification for the prestigious global tournament.
Zimbabwe’s Strong Start: Ryan Burl Shines Again
Having won the toss, Zimbabwe elected to bat first, with captain Sikandar Raza commenting on the nature of the pitch, describing it as “a variational wicket.” Zimbabwe, full of confidence after thrashing Gambia in their previous match, sought to post another commanding total. Though they didn’t quite match their 344-run heroics from the Gambia game, Zimbabwe still put up an impressive 163 runs for the loss of seven wickets.
Ryan Burl, the eventual Man-of-the-Match, was once again the key figure in Zimbabwe’s batting lineup. His innings, a well-crafted 61 off 43 balls, played a pivotal role in helping Zimbabwe recover from an early wobble. The Hosts Lucas Ndandason provided a glimmer of hope for the home side when he dismissed Brian Bennet (13 off 10 balls) and Dion Myers (for a duck) in quick succession during the third over.
However, Burl’s partnership with Sikandar Raza steadied Zimbabwe’s innings. The two batsmen took control, with Raza providing solid support as Burl made the most of his reprieve after being dropped on 30. This costly miss by Kenya allowed Burl to push on, anchoring Zimbabwe’s innings with key boundaries and solid running between the wickets.
Late contributions from Clive Madande (17 off 14 balls) and Tashinga Musekiwa (14 off 9 balls) added crucial runs to the total, giving Zimbabwe the upper hand heading into the second innings. Despite not reaching the heights of their previous matches, Zimbabwe’s total of 163 was still a challenging one for Kenya to chase.
Kenya’s Struggles in the Chase
The Hosts entered the second innings facing a difficult target and knowing that their batting lineup would need to deliver something special to overcome Zimbabwe’s formidable bowling attack. Unfortunately for the hosts, the Zimbabwean seamers, led by Trevor Gwandu and Sikandar Raza, proved too much to handle.
Kenya’s batting lineup failed to find any momentum, with key wickets falling at regular intervals. Lucas Ndandason, who had impressed with the ball earlier in the match, top-scored for Kenya with a modest 24 off 19 balls. However, none of his teammates could stay long enough at the crease to build meaningful partnerships, leaving Kenya’s chase in tatters.
The Zimbabwean bowlers were relentless. Gwandu and Raza each took three wickets, dismantling Kenya’s middle and lower order with precise and aggressive seam bowling. Brandon Mavuta added two more wickets to Zimbabwe’s tally, ensuring that Kenya was bowled out for a mere 102 with five balls still remaining in their innings.
It was a clinical display of bowling from Zimbabwe, and the loss left Kenya to reflect on missed opportunities in their batting department. However, despite the defeat, Kenya’s earlier victories in the tournament guaranteed their place in the regional finals.
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Kenya’s Journey to the Regional Finals
Kenya’s performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-regional Qualifier B was a testament to their potential and resilience. Prior to their loss against Zimbabwe, Kenya had secured four consecutive wins, including a dominant victory over Seychelles and a thrilling chase against Malawi.
These victories were crucial in helping the hosts finish second in the group with eight points, just behind Zimbabwe, who topped the standings with 10 points. By securing second place, Kenya earned one of the coveted spots in the 2025 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Finals, where they will compete against seven other teams for a place in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.
Kenya’s path to the World Cup is far from over, but their qualification for the regional finals keeps their hopes alive. The team will now focus on preparing for the next phase of the tournament, where the competition will be even tougher. With a chance to rectify their mistakes and improve on their performance, Kenya will be eager to show their mettle on the bigger stage.
Key Performances and Areas for Improvement
Throughout the tournament, several Kenyan players stood out, including Lucas Ndandason, who was a key contributor with both the ball and bat. Ndandason’s ability to take early wickets in critical matches helped Kenya gain an advantage in multiple games. However, his efforts alone were not enough to secure victory against Zimbabwe.
Kenya’s batting, while effective in earlier matches, struggled against Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling attack. The top order, in particular, found it difficult to build partnerships and withstand the pressure from Zimbabwe’s seamers. Moving forward, Kenya will need to focus on improving their batting consistency, particularly when chasing large targets.
On the bowling front, Kenya’s attack showed promise, especially in the early stages of matches. Ndandason and his fellow bowlers did well to take early wickets, but maintaining pressure throughout the middle overs will be essential as they progress to the regional finals.
Looking Ahead: The Road to the 2026 T20 World Cup
With the 2025 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Finals on the horizon, they has an opportunity to build on their strengths and address their weaknesses. The team will face tougher opposition in the next phase, but their determination and early success in the sub-regional qualifiers indicate that they are capable of rising to the challenge.
For Kenya, the dream of competing in the 2026 T20 World Cup remains within reach. With a talented squad and the experience gained from the sub-regional qualifiers, they are well-positioned to continue their journey toward the global stage.
As they prepare for the regional finals, Kenya’s focus will be on refining their strategies, sharpening their batting, and maintaining the bowling pressure that has been key to their success so far. The team’s performance in the regional finals will determine whether they can take the next big step toward the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
