Kenya under-19s squandered a good opportunity to bag crucial points towards qualification when they let off Papua New Guinea at 106 for the loss of 8 wickets to post 204 for the loss of 9 wickets and lose by 66 runs in an ICC Under-19 Global World Cup qualifying match played at the New Strabane Park in Derry, Ireland.
Papua New Guinea won the toss and chose to bat, but their game plan was hugely disrupted by Kenya’s pace bowlers who picked seven wickets between them to hamper the Islanders progress in the match. Opener Martin Ndandason bowled an excellent spell of 8 overs 1 maiden 29 runs for 3 wickets and later on Harrison Angila also weighed in with 3 for 44 off 10 overs.
But Papua New Guinea recovered well with a 9th wicket 67-run partnership to set up a challenging total. Man of the match Toua Tom was the toast of the Southern Hemisphere team as he conjured an admirable 82 runs in just 86 deliveries including 4 boundaries and sixes a piece.
In reply, Kenya U19s innings began on a sour note, when opener Rahul Vishram was caught behind on 2 and Irfan Karim was soon to follow edging behind for nought as pressure piled up for the East Africans. When danger-man Duncan Allan departed for 31 with the scores on 42, Kenya was starring at defeat since his efforts have anchored the team well in the event.
Kenya never recovered in their batting and were all out for 138 runs off 36.3 overs and failed to consolidate their position in the table, currently lying seventh with 4 points with the top six qualifying. They need to register a minimum of two wins from their remaining four matches to harbor any hopes of qualification. They play United States of America on Friday at Bready in Derry.
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