BIRMINGHAM, 16 September 2004 — Pakistan leg-spinner Shahid Afridi took a One-Day International career-best of five wickets for 11 runs as Kenya were beaten by seven wickets in the ICC Champions Trophy at Edgbaston here yesterday. The result was never in doubt after Kenya were bowled out for 94 in just 32 overs after losing the toss. Pakistan’s victory set up what was, in effect, a quarterfinal against arch-rivals India at Edgbaston on Sunday with the winners guaranteed a place in the last four.
Kenya’s total was their lowest against Pakistan, surpassing the 133 they made in Nairobi in 2002 and meant they had lost both their Pool games after a 98-run defeat against India at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.
Pakistan sprinted to their victory target of 95 in just 18.4 overs, this the latest in a series of one-sided contests in the tournament so far. Imran Farhat was 38 not out, off 45 balls, with one six and four fours while Abdul Razzaq was unbeaten on seven, the match lasting a mere 50.4 overs. Kenya, last year’s World Cup semifinalists, were well-placed at 67 for one but lost their last nine wickets for 27 runs in 63 balls with off-spinner Shoaib Malik taking three for 15. “Both spinners bowled really well,” Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq told reporters afterward. “I think it was a magical spell from Afridi.” Inzamam admitted he’d been concerned by the rain which prevented any play Tuesday and again threatened the match yesterday. “Rain has come and the weather forecast all week is not good so I was a little bit worried. But thankfully the game was complete.”
Meanwhile, dejected Kenya captain Steve Tikolo said his side had to play more matches against the major teams. “It’s been a disappointing series. But this we’ll keep on happening if we don’t play more often.”
The match, Pakistan’s first of the tournament, changed after a 20 minute rain-break which saw Kenya resume on 64 for one off 20 overs following some slipshod Pakistan fielding. But from then on the Africans, who until Saturday had not played a One-Day International for 18 months, were left helpless.
Kenya’s second wicket duo of wicketkeeper Kennedy Otieno and the in-form Maurice Ouma, who made 49 on debut on Saturday, put on 65. But when Ouma fell for 23, caught behind cutting by wicketkeeper Moin Khan off Afridi’s fourth ball, the slump began.
Four balls later Otieno was plumb lbw to off-spinner Malik on the backfoot for 33. Tikolo, Kenya’s senior batsman, was then clean bowled by Malik for one of five noughts in the innings.
The rest of the order, bar Hitesh Modi who was 18 not out, went quickly with several batsmen bowled playing no stroke.
Luckless debutant Malhar Patel was bowled for a first ball nought by Afridi’s faster delivery with the batsman claiming he was not ready to face. Next ball Martin Suji also went for a golden duck when he was run out by Yasir Hameed’s sharp under-arm throw from silly point.
When Afridi bowled last man Peter Ongondo for two he finished with figures of 6-1-11-5.
Tikolo’s day went from bad to worse when he dropped Hameed, on 16, at second slip off Thomas Odoyo, with Pakistan 22 without loss in the fourth over. However, Kenya had the consolation of preventing a 10-wicket defeat with seamer Ragheb Aga taking two wickets for 17 runs.
Tikolo later said he intended to resign as Kenya captain. “I spoke to the selectors back at home and they said we’ll let the case rest until I get back home,” Tikolo told reporters.
