CRICKET – BAHRAIN secured a decisive 67-run victory over hosts Kenya yesterday in their second bilateral series match played at Nairobi Gymkhana in the Kenyan capital.
The Bahrainis put in a dominant, all-round performance in the contest.
After winning the toss, Kenya opted to field first. The nationals capitalised on their time at the crease, posting a formidable total of 273/8 in their allotted 50 overs.
Team captain Asif Ali led the charge with a stellar knock, scoring 86 runs off 101 balls – an innings highlighted by 11 boundaries and two sixes. He received solid middle-order support from Ahmer Bin Nasir, who added a quick 49 runs off 44 deliveries, along with the in-form Fiaz Ahmed, who chipped in with 33 runs.
Kenya’s bowling attack saw Vishil Patel, Lucas Oluoch Ndandason, and Sachin Gill each claiming two wickets to try and stem Bahrain’s run flow.
In response, Kenya’s chase ultimately fell short as they were bowled out for 206 in 44.2 overs.
Sachin Gill provided strong resistance with the bat, top-scoring for Kenya with a brisk 61 off 59 balls, which included six fours and a six. Openers Rushabh Patel and Nitish Hirani also contributed 30 runs each.
However, Bahrain’s bowling unit proved too lethal. Asif Shaikh dismantled the Kenyan line-up, claiming a brilliant five-wicket haul while conceding 53 runs in his 10 overs. He was remarkably supported by Abdul Majid, who delivered an incredibly economical and impactful spell, taking three wickets for just 20 runs across 10 overs, including two maidens.
Following play, Shaikh received the match ball from Bahrain Cricket Federation advisory board chairman Mohammad Mansoor.
Yesterday’s affair followed the first match of the bilateral series, held on Monday with Kenya winning by three wickets.
The 50-over contests followed a pair of T20 internationals played between the two nations last week – the first of which was claimed by Bahrain by 15 runs and the second won by Kenya by a single wicket.
The Bahrain squad travelled to Kenya with the aim of building on their recent impressive momentum as they continue to showcase their progress on the international stage, compete with pride, and march on in their journey towards success in world cricket.
Joining skipper Ali, Bin Nasir, Ahmed, Shaikh, and Majid, the rest of the kingdom’s 14-man roster in Nairobi included vice-captain Prashant Kurup, Ali Dawood, Junaid Niazi, Muhammad Safdar, Shujat Khan, Amaish Rana, Imran Anwar, Muhammad Rizwan, and Sohail Ahmed.
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