Kenya enjoy a lap of honour. (Getty Images)
KENYA THROUGH TO SUPER SIX
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Kenya made history by becoming the first non-Test playing nation to qualify
for the World Cup Super Sixes when they beat Bangladesh by 32 runs at the
Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
Kenya's captain Steve Tikolo was delighted with his side's victory which he
hoped to build on once his team complete their World Cup programme.
But he admitted he thought their total of 217 was not high enough to defend
against Bangladesh.
"We were about 20 runs short but we defended well," admitted Tikolo.
"I hope the win and the qualification for the Super Sixes will help Kenya
cricket to grow," he added.
All-rounder Maurice Odumbe produced an inspired performance with both bat and
ball.
He first rescued the Kenyan innings with a quickfire 52 not out off 46 balls
at a time when 200 looked like an impossible total.
The right-armer then completed the destruction job with the ball by taking
four wickets for 23 runs from his 10 overs as Bangladesh were skittled out for
185.
The victory leaves Kenya with 16 points, four of which were forfeited by New
Zealand after refusing to play their match in Nairobi, and guarantees an
unlikely place in the Super Sixes even if they lose to the West Indies in
Kimberly.
Tushar Imran made 48 from 81 balls, but when number six Akram Khan went six
short of his half-century from 60 deliveries at 180 for nine, any chance of
snatching a dramatic win went with him.
Tikolo was the pick of the other bowlers, returning three for 14 in his 5.2
overs to help wrap up the tail.
Bangladesh's bowlers restricted Kenya to 217 for seven.
Kenya were in trouble from the first over in which the inconsistent opener
Kennedy Otieno was dismissed on the third ball of the match, edging Manjural
Islam to wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud.
Odumbe then smashed four boundaries on his way to a rapid 52 off 46 balls, as
he recorded his ninth one-day international half-century.
Brijal Patel (32) steadied the Kenyan innings after coming in at number three
and shared a stand of 67, but he was caught in the trying to hook Manjural over
fine leg in the 17th over.
Shah (37) was Kenya's next-best score, but after his departure the run-rate
dropped to a trickle of singles and twos as Bangladesh tightened the screws
until Odumbe arrived on the crease.
Captain Steve Tikolo helped the Kenyan score on with 27 off 45 balls, but was
bowled by Sanwar Hossain as he tried to sweep the right arm spinner, leaving
Kenya reeling at 116 for four in the 32 over.
Leg spinner Collins Obuya, who took five wickets against Sri Lanka, also
contributed a priceless run-a-ball 22 which included one four and the only six
of the innings.
Bangladesh, appearing determined to end their miserable World Cup with a win,
put Kenya under a lot of pressure, especially after the early dismissal of
Otieno.
Such was the tight nature of their bowling that Kenya went without a boundary
for 60 balls between the 28th and the 40th over.
Hossain finished with three wickets for 49 with Manjural, Tapash Baisya,
Khaled Mahmud and Mohammad Rafique taking one each.

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