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ICC CWCQ: Rakep Patel's heroics fuels Kenya past Jersey in opener
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 25.09.24. | 20:00
In the other game of the day, Kuwait produced a nervy finish with the bat to beat Denmark by two wickets
Kenya began their journey towards qualifying for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup with a six-wicket Challenge League A victory over Jersey at the Ruaraka Sports Grounds on Wednesday.
The Kenyan side, who were playing in front of their home fans in an ICC tournament for the first time since 2007, relied on the efforts of Rakep Patel, as he starred on both sides of the ball.
The ex-captain put up an impressive show on the ball with a game-high six wickets, before knocking 84 runs to help Kenya chase a target of 207 set by the visitors in the first innings.
The 35-year-old was deservedly awarded with the man-of-the-match award, as it was his performance that set Lameck Onyango’s side rolling.
After a rather quiet open to the proceedings, it was the Kanbis man who had the home fans up on their feet as he tore down the Jersey top order.
First, he dismissed Jonty Jennet, before pulling off a five-wicket haul to the expense of Nick Greenwood, Jake Dunford, Charlie Brennan, Patrick Gouge, and Julius Sumerauer.
Also decent with the ball was skipper Shem Ngoche and Peter Koech, who took two wickets each.
Rakep's heroics continued in the second innings as he set up a middle-order partnership with Irfan Karim (58) to starve off any Jersey comeback hopes after they had jumped early in taking out openers Neil Mugabe, Pushkar Sharma and Dhiren Gondaria.
In the other game of the day, Kuwait produced a nervy finish with the bat to beat Denmark by two wickets at the Nairobi Gymkhana Grounds.
Thursday's games
Qatar vs Jersey - Nairobi Gymkhana
Denmark vs Papua New Guinea - Ruaraka Sports Club.
