Karim Century Guides Kenya To Win Over Canada

Karim Century Guides Kenya To Win Over Canada

©International Cricket Council

Kenya 254-4 (Karim 112no, Obuya 57) beat
Canada 253-9 by six wickets
Second One-Day International, Dubai

Kenya made it two six-wicket victories in three days with a second straight One-Day International win over Canada in their final match in Dubai.

Irfan Karim stroked a century to help Kenya get home with two overs to spare after Canada had posted 253 for nine in their 50 overs.

The win is Kenya's fourth in the ICC World Cricket League Championship lifting them level with Scotland on eight points, two points adrift of leaders Ireland, United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan.

The two sides at the top of the table after all matches are completed will qualify automatically for the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Batting first, Canada made a strong sstart through opener and captain Rizwan Cheema's 55 in 66 balls and he was well supported by Hiral Patel's 36 and Ruvindu Gunasekera's 24.

Kenya struck with regular wickets before Raza-ur-Rehman made 51 in 52 balls and Damodar Daesrath hit 40 in 45 balls before a late collapse from 225 for four to their closing score handed Kenya the initiative.

Karim, who struck 65 in helping Kenya win the opening game, hit 11 fours in hitting 112 in 137 balls to anchor the innings until he was dismissed two balls before the winning runs were hit.

Alex Obanda (29) helped him add 48 for the first wicket, Maurice Ouma (34) added 76 for the second wicket with him and then David Obuya scored 57 as the pair put on 107 together.

It was left to Tanmay Mishra, unbeaten on five, to hit the winning runs to mark an important win for Kenya as they target the 2015 World Cup and what would be a fourth straight appearance at cricket's showpiece event.

The two teams now begin to prepare for their four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup clash which begins on Monday (18th March).

© Cricket World 2013