NAIROBI, Kenya, February 16 – A solid batting perfomance from Rakep Patel helped Kenya secure victory over Netherlands by six wickets in the first one day international (ODI) on Tuesday.Kenya won the toss and decided to field in a match they needed to win in order to restore much needed confidence in Kenyan cricket after failing in their bid to qualify for the World Twenty20 in the West Indies.
Patel’s run total of 92 helped his side reach their target of 220 runs within 35 overs after a three wicket haul from Elijah Otieno played a part in restricting the tourists to 219 in their innings.
However he was denied a century by Pieter Seelaar when he was dismissed in the 33rd but the damage had already been done with Kenya at 206-3.
Alex Obanda (61) and opener David Obuya (32) weighed with a fine performance the crease to make sure Kenya go 1-0 up in the two match series.
Captain Maurice Ouma and veteran Jimmy Kamande partnership of seven runs was the final act that delivered victory.
Ryan Doeschate was in inspired form for the Dutch with a colossal 109 off 121 balls that included ten fours and four sixes.
Otieno took the fight to the visitors by grabbing the first two wickets of Alexei Kervezee (11) and Eric Szwarczynski (18) in the first eight overs giving the Dutch something to think about while at 31-2.
Bas Zuiderent and Tim Gruijters wre struck by run outs adding more pressure to the Dutch’s batting as Hiren Varaiya, Nelson and Nehemiah Odhiambo made life miserable for their counterparts with wickets of their own.