Continent Cup T20: Botswana stun Kenya in historic victory

“The Zebras are prowling the park here at the Nairobi Gymkhana Grounds.”

Words from match commentator Innocent Ndawula might have looked so innocent but was a clear description of what was going on Thursday afternoon, as lowly Botswana engineered one of the biggest shocks in the ongoing 2023 Continent Cup T20 Africa Tournament - comprehensively downing hosts Kenya by 33 runs in one of those historical results for the South African region nation.

Going solely by ‘belief’ pre game, former Kenyan cricketer Joseph Angara - now Botswana head coach - was at the end of the eighteenth over of the second innings hugging his players on the pitch as they executed a balanced show of excellent bowling to dismiss all Kenyan batters for a low score of 115 runs.

A gamble had to be paid, and that was Botswana - a team that had not registered a win against Kenya - winning the toss and electing to bowl, putting them right into Kenya’s batting onslaught in the second innings.

However, it was opener Vinoo Balakrishnan who had the biggest smile as he poured in an impressive 55 on his return to the fold, leading the Botswana batters to 145 runs for the loss of eight wickets.

In double figures was also the duo of Ameer Saiyed and skipper Karabo Motlhanaka, who all scored 26 runs with Thatayaone Tshose adding 16 of his own.

For a team that was topping the Net Run Rate, it looked an easy task for Kenya to chase the 146 scoreline - only to watch the opening duo of Alex Obanda and Rushab Patel get dismissed inside the third over, with Nelson Odhiambo needing just five balls to also get bowled out by Dhruvkumar Maisuria.

When Reginald Nehonde hit the stumps with a direct hit to take out Sachin Bhudia on a run out in the eleventh over, the writing was on the wall for David Obuya’s side - top bowler Boemo Khumalo breaking out to a dance as all of Lucas Oluoch, Peter Langat and Emmanuel Bundi fell in quick succession.

If at all Kenya thought this was going to be a stroll, Botswana had all the right answers and the action was over when the last man, Vishil Patel went - sparking huge celebrations from the visitors.

“I thank God for the great win today, it was all a result of team effort and strategy,” Balakrishnan - the game’s player of the match said.

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With Uganda securing a win earlier in the day over Rwanda, Kenya now find themselves second on the four-nations log with eight points, two behind leaders Uganda as action takes a break on Friday.

The win for Botswana was their second in the tournament but the first against Kenya in four competitive duels, lifting them to third on the log with four points. They return to action on Saturday against Uganda.