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Khurram props up UAE

NAIROBI — Dominic Wesonga starred with bat and ball on debut for Kenya on the first day of the ICC Intercontinental Cup four-day match match against United Arab Emirates on Thursday.

Wesonga claimed 2-29 as the UAE were bowled out for 213, with Khurram Khan top-scoring on 85 and Saqib Ali adding 45.

Hiren Varaiya had the best bowling figures for Kenya, taking 4-45, while Lucas Oluoch chipped in with 3-58.

Wesonga then made 34 not out by stumps as Kenya closed on 91-3. Rakep Patel scored 36 while Mohammad Tauqir took 1-2. The match ends Sunday. UAE would have hoped to get far more than 213 when they chose to bat, but faltered despite their top-order batsmen getting good starts. Opener Abdul Rehman managed 23, while Saqib Ali scored 45 but the steady fall of wickets at the start meant UAE were reduced to 57 for 4 at one stage.

Saqib’s innings, though, was a significant one; he added 121 for the fifth wicket with captain Khurram Khan, who top-scored with 85. However, left-arm seamer Lucas Oluoch and left-arm spinner Hiren Varaiya brought Kenya right back, sharing seven wickets between them to skittle out UAE for a modest total.

In reply, Kenya lost Runish Gudhka in the first over but opener Rakep Patel gave the innings some stability early on with a quickfire 36. Collins Obuya, the captain, was dismissed off what proved to be the last ball of the day, but holding fort was Dominic Wesonga with an unbeaten 34, following up on his two wickets.

Ahead of the match, the sides split a two-match 50-over series 1-1. Kenya won the opening match on Monday by 66 runs (D/L method), before the UAE claimed a four-wicket victory Tuesday. This year’s tournament has eight teams – Afghanistan, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, Netherlands, Scotland, Namibia and United Arab Emirates.