It was a see saw game between hosts Rift Valley Rhinos and Kanbis Tigers in which Tigers narrowly prevailed winning by 2 wickets at the Greensteds School in Nakuru during the East Africa Premier League match.
Rhinos won the toss and favoured batting but that is a decision they almost rued as they lost too many wickets up front and laboured to their total of 71 for the loss of 9 wickets, thanks to Kanbis Tigers combative bowling attack spearhead by man of the match Rajesh Bhudiya, who finished with impressive figures of 4 wickets for 6 runs in his spell of 3 overs.
Karan Kaul top scored for Rhinos with 15 runs in a match where no batsman crossed the 20-run mark, as wickets tumbled rather easily on a wicket that offered something for the bowlers.
In reply, Tigers never got going and found themselves in a tangle earlier on as they lost 4 wickets for 32 runs and with dependable batsman and skipper Rakep Patel gone, it was an uphill task knocking off the remaining runs for victory. Youngster Dhiren Gondaria stood tall with his patient 19 before a mix-up with Vinod Rabadia put paid to his efforts through a Nelson Odhiambo run out.
Five runs were required of the final 2 overs and Lucas Oluoch batting at number 10 showed no nerves by driving Dominic Wesonga powerfully through mid-off for four to tie the scores of the first ball he faced and then finishing things off with textbook cover drive off the second delivery he played to see off the challenge of the Rhinos and keep the unbeaten record of the Tigers in the T20 competition intact.
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