Kenya defeated Denmark by 103 runs in their Challenge League A opener at Nairobi Gymkhana.
Irfan Karim scored 106 and Shem Ngoche claimed three wickets as Kenya opened their ICC Challenge League A campaign with victory at Nairobi Gymkhana.
Kenya beat Denmark by 103 runs at Nairobi Gymkhana as Irfan Karim’s century powered the hosts’ ICC Challenge League A opener. Kenya scored 324 for seven in 50 overs before dismissing the visitors for 221 in 44.1 overs.
Karim earned Player of the Match honours after scoring 106 from 115 balls, including nine fours. Meanwhile, Shem Ngoche led Kenya’s bowling effort with three wickets for 31 runs from his 10 overs.
Karim anchors Kenya’s batting effort
Kenya won the toss and chose to bat, with Karim providing stability through the middle overs. His century formed the foundation of a total that Denmark ultimately could not match.
Subham Patel contributed 48 from 55 deliveries, while Rakep Patel added 57 off 65 balls. Their contributions also gave Kenya valuable support around Karim’s innings.
Sachin Gill then supplied further momentum with 49 from 41 deliveries, hitting three sixes along the way. Francis Mutua finished unbeaten on 21 from 14 balls, helping Kenya strengthen their total.
Ngoche also made an immediate impact with the bat, striking his only delivery for six towards long-on. For Denmark, Abdullah Mahmood and Saud Munir took two wickets each, but Kenya’s batting depth kept the runs coming.
Kenya beat Denmark despite Shah’s resistance
In response, Denmark captain Hamid Shah scored 55 from 67 deliveries to offer resistance in the chase. Musa Shaheen contributed another 35, facing 62 balls as the visitors pursued their target.
Taranjit Bharaj later injected urgency with 35 from just 23 deliveries, including five fours. However, Kenya kept taking wickets and prevented Denmark from building a successful reply.
Ngoche combined wicket-taking with control across his full allocation of overs, finishing as Kenya’s leading bowler. Vraj Patel also claimed two wickets for 44 runs, while Dhiren Gondaria took two more.
Those breakthroughs brought Denmark’s innings to an end with 35 balls remaining. The visitors finished well short despite contributions from Shah, Shaheen and Bharaj.
Winning start to World Cup qualification campaign
The victory gives Kenya an encouraging opening result in their ICC CWC Challenge League A campaign. The competition forms part of the qualification pathway towards the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Karim’s award capped a match in which Kenya combined a substantial batting total with regular bowling breakthroughs. His hundred and Ngoche’s three-wicket return provided the standout contributions to the hosts’ winning start in Nairobi.
