NAIROBI, October 22 – For the second day in a row, heavy rain forced the cancellation of a triangular series match in Nairobi on Wednesday.
The Kenya versus Ireland match that was scheduled for Nairobi Gymkhana was called off due to a wet outfield after heavy overnight downpour.
It was Ireland’s second consecutive game to be washed out and they will now have to wait for the result of Thursday’s game between Zimbabwe and Kenya to determine whether they are through to Saturday’s final.
The Irish will have to wait on the result of the Kenya and Zimbabwe game to learn whether they will be involved in Saturday’s final.
A win for either Kenya or Zimbabwe will guarantee Ireland a final place but a washout will end their hopes.
Ireland lost their opener against Zimbabwe by 156 runs before claiming an 86-run win over Kenya on Saturday.
The forecast for Thursday is not promising with heavy showers expected and in the event of another washout, all three teams will finish on nine points but Zimbabwe and Kenya will go through on the basis of net run-rate.
Kenya recovered from a heavy loss against Ireland in their opening game to beat Zimbabwe by a comprehensive 95 runs.
Tikolo’s aggressive century helped Kenya to a comfortable target of 285 which proved too much for the Zimbabweans.
It was the substantial 158-run partnership between Tikolo and Alex Obanda for the third wicket which laid the platform for victory.
Zimbabwe bowled their spinners through the middle overs but none of them managed to tie the pair down. They had to wait 28 overs to take a wicket and, as a result, Christopher Mpofu’s six-wicket haul was overshadowed by a strong batting performance.
At no stage did Zimbabwe threaten to loosen Kenya’s grip on the game. Tikolo’s arrival, with Kenya at 36 for 2, started a period of domination for the home side.
With Obanda at the other end, Tikolo ensured the stand progressed at a run-rate of 5.50, bringing up his fifty off 52 balls, while Obanda reached his off 76.
Tikolo opted for the third Powerplay at the start of the 35th over and Kenya managed 36 off those five overs and reached his third ODI century with a single to long-off off Chamu Chibhabha.
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