Kenya put up an effective allround performance to beat Afghanistan by eight wickets at the Nairobi Gymkhana club grounds on Monday to win the three-match series 2-1.
After losing the second match by six wickets, Kenya badly needed victory to put their World Cup preparations on track, and they knew they had a big fight on their hands chasing the target of 189 on an unreliable Nairobi Gymkhana wicket.
But opener Alex Obanda, who had been discarded for the series, and was only recalled to replace the suspended Tanmay Mishra, went on the attack from the start and made 77 off 116 balls.
After losing fellow opener, David Obuya on 21, Obanda found a reliable partner in Obuya’s older brother, Collins Obuya (one of the stars of the 2003 World Cup), and the pair steered the total past 183, building a solid partnership of 143 for the second wicket.
Obuya, batted with authority and finished the match unbeaten on 86 off 96 balls to lead the hosts the victory.
The Kenyan bowlers had set the tone when they restricted the Afganistan batsmen, who made 188 after winning the toss.
Pacemen Nehemiah Odhiambo and Thomas Odoyo claimed two wickets apiece while Mohammad Nabi (60) top-scored for the tourists, who did well to reach the total they did after being reduced to 69 for five in the 15th over.
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