8 wickets! Hosts Namibia humiliate Kenya in ICC World Cup qualifier

Kenya’s Irfan Karim (centre) and Dhiren Gondaria make a run during a past match. PHOTO | EDDIE CHICCO |

What you need to know:

  • Kenya’s wickets were shared between Hiren Varaiya (1/27) and Nehemiah Odhiambo (1/33).
  • Kenya, who are yet to register a win in the competition, face Oman on Wednesday in their last game at the same venue.

Dhiren Gondaria’s first half-a-century was not enough as Kenya lost to hosts Namibia by eight wickets in the ongoing ICC World Cricket League Division Two tournament at the United Cricket Ground, Windhoek on Tuesday.

Gondaria’s 60 runs came off 46 balls with four boundaries and five sixes. He top scored for Kenya, who won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 110 by the time all their batsmen were sent back to the pavilion in just 30 of their allotted 50 overs.

Alex Obanda (28 off 37 balls with a boundary and a six) was the only other batsman who posted double figures on the scoreboard.

Kenya started their innings on a sour note when opening batsman, Irfan Karim was dismissed for naught with zero scores showing on the board.

Four other batsmen Collins Obuya (0), Hiren Varaiya (0), Emmanuel Bundi (0) and Lucas Oluoch (0) were returned to the pavilion before they could score any runs.

Shem Ngoche (2), Rakep Patel (8), Karan Kaul (3) and Nehemiah Odhiambo (4) all lost wickets cheaply.

Bernard Schltz was Kenya’s main executioner, taking four wickets for 15. Petrus Barger (3/17), Sarel Burger (1/29) and JJ Smit (1/19) were the other wicket takers.

In reply, Namibia were home and dry for 111 with eight wickets and 204 balls in hand.

Stephen Baard (37 off 39 balls with five boundaries) top scored for Namibia. Craig Williams, with an unbeaten 28 that came off 18 balls with two boundaries and same number of sixes), shared a winning third wicket partnership of 51 with Niko Davin (22 not out off 12 balls with a boundary and two sixes).

Kenya’s wickets were shared between Hiren Varaiya (1/27) and Nehemiah Odhiambo (1/33).

Kenya, who are yet to register a win in the competition, face Oman on Wednesday in their last game at the same venue.