Kenya Cutclass Afghanistan to Win Series

Nairboi: Kenya put up an allround performance to beat Afghanistan by eight wickets at the Nairobi Gymkhana club grounds on Monday to win the three-match series 2-1.

After losing the second match by six wickets, Kenya badly needed victory to put their World Cup preparations on track, and they knew they had a big fight on their hands chasing 189 on an unreliable Nairobi Gymkhana wicket.

But opener Alex Obanda, who had been discarded for the series and was only recalled to replace the suspended Tanmay Mishra, made his intentions known when he led the charge with 77 off 116 balls.

After losing fellow opener David Obuya on 21, Obanda found a consistent partner in Obuya's older brother, Collins, and the pair steered the total past 183, building a solid partnership of 143 for the second wicket.

Obuya batted with authority and finished the match unbeaten on 86 off 96 balls.

The Kenyan bowlers had set the way when they restricted Afganistan to 188 after winning the toss.

Pace bowlers Nehemiah Odhiambo and Thomas Odoyo claimed two wickets apiece in the match where Mohammad Nabi (60) top-scored for the tourists, who were left stranded on 69 for five in the 15th over.

Brief scores
Afghanistan 188 (Nabi 60, Odhiambo 2-18, Odoyo 2-29)
Kenya 189 for 2 (Obuya 86*, Obanda 77)
Result Kenya won by eight wickets