African Games: Patel picking positives as Kenya face Uganda 'again' in Saturday's bronze medal match

Kenya men’s cricket team captain Rakep Patel, though disappointed with his side’s display against Zimbabwe in Thursday’s semifinal, is optimistic that their participation in the African Games could end on a high when they face rivals Uganda in a bronze medal matchup at Achimota Senior Secondary School A Field in Accra, Ghana.

Lameck Onyango’s side in a pivotal last four tie was dismissed by 70 runs by Zimbabwe, a defeat that ruled out Kenya’s hopes of playing in the gold medal match.

Having lost the toss and forced to bowl, Kenya gave up 196 runs and totaled five wickets, a score that seemed insurmountable in the second innings.

A significant break early on for Kenyan batters Collins Obuya (52) and Neil Mugabe (20) to put up the scores at 96-2 inside the first 11 overs ended up as ‘just a fight’ as Zimbabwe turned on the heat in the power-play to dismiss all batters to a score of 126 after 19.3 overs.

Reacting to the loss, Patel said: “We felt as if we gave up 40-50 extra runs in the first innings. A target of 150-160 would have been achievable and put us in the game.

“Hats off to Zimbabwe because they took the game away from us in the last two overs, and put up 47 runs. We tried with the bat early on but sadly gave up too many wickets at the end.”

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That was Kenya’s first loss since their opening day loss to Uganda, who they meet again in Saturday’s noon kickoff.

On the upcoming game, Patel added: “For now, I think there are positives that we can take from this tournament. Obuya’s batting has been so good and so has been some work from our fielders.”

Aaarnav Patel, who is making his debut in the games from the Under-19, has been one of the delights for Kenya, who are now out to bow out in a positive light.

That will only come if a run of six defeats in seven against their neighbors is averted.