NAIROBI, September 12 – The national cricket team takes on the Pakistan Academy side on Saturday in the first of two four day matches at Nairobi Gymkhana.
Both sides will then meet in a second four day match in Mombasa from Friday next week at Mombasa Sports Club.
The four dayers will be followed by three One Day internationals-one in Mombasa on September 25, and two in Nairobi on 27th and 28th of the same month.
The Pakistan side arrived in the country on Wednesday and have bee holding training sessions at Ruaraka Sports Club.
Kenya will have to make huge improvement after a dismal performance in Europe where they were decidedly out of their depth failing to qualify for the 2009 ICC World Twenty20.
While the tour was seriously affected by the dreadful weather which hit Europe over the last two months, the results were poor and reports suggest that the fitness and attitude of some of the squad left something to be desired.
Cricket Kenya selectors have kept faith with the team that did duty in the recent six week tour of Europe for Saturday’s match. The team had a one week break the team is now training in readiness for the matches against the visitors.
Veteran Steve Tikolo will again skipper the side with Thomas Odoyo acting as his deputy. Recalled veteran wicket keeper Kennedy Obuya keeps his place as does Morris Ouma who was reprimanded during the last tour for a show of dissent after being given out leg-before in the ODI against Ireland.
Youngsters Alex Obanda, Hiren Varaiya, Elijah Otieno, Alfred Luseno and Rakep Patel continue their runs in the senior side as do the veterans Jimmy Kamande, Peter Ongondo, Nehemiah and Tony Suji.
After the Pakistan tour, Kenya will host Ireland and Zimbabwe in the I-Cup series in Nairobi. They will then leave for South Africa where they will play two ODI matches against the Proteas.
Steve Tikolo (Captain), Thomas Odoyo (Vice Captain), Kennedy Obuya, Alex Obanda, Rakep Patel, Morris Ouma (Wicket keeper), Jimmy Kamande, Hiren Varaiya, Peter Ongondo, Elijah Otieno, Alfred Luseno, Nehemiah Odhiambo and Ondik Suji.
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