Kenya’s cricket team coach, Joseph Angara, has expressed satisfaction with the learning opportunities his team is gaining by playing against Nigeria. Despite Nigeria’s lower ranking, Angara believes that the exposure from these matches is crucial for the team’s development and rebuilding process.
Former national team seamer Angara made these remarks following Kenya’s four-wicket victory over Nigeria in the second match of the Kenya-Nigeria T20 series at the Sikh Union Club on Saturday evening. The match saw outstanding performances from Rushab Patel and Peter Koech, who excelled with the bat and ball, respectively.
“It’s true that Nigeria are ranked lower than us, but that is not important to us. What we are looking at is giving the players a lot of exposure that can only happen if we take this kind of matches,” Angara stated.
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After winning the toss, Nigeria posted a competitive total of 136 for 8, with Peter Koech taking 3 for 32. Rushab Patel then led the Kenyan response with an unbeaten 66, steering the team to victory with 10 balls to spare.
Angara added, «Despite winning the two matches, I think Nigeria have shown a lot of character and fighting spirit, which we as a team need to see. Chasing 136 in 18.2 overs proves that they are not pushovers.»
Nigeria’s top order performed admirably, with their top three batsmen reaching double digits. They lost only one wicket in the power play, with Sulaimon Runsewe dismissed for 15 in the fifth over. Selim Salau (21) and Elijah Olaleye added 41 runs for the second wicket before Salau was bowled by Kenyan skipper Rakep Patel. Olaleye top-scored for Nigeria with 37 from 37 balls, but their middle order struggled, losing five wickets for 36 runs to stand at 98 for 6 with three overs remaining. A late 19 from Mohammed Taiwo helped Nigeria reach 136 for 8.
Kenya secured a decisive victory over Nigeria in the opening match of the T20I series, highlighted by Sachin Bhudia's standout performance.
Peter Koech was the standout bowler for Kenya with 3 for 32, while Rakep Patel took 2 for 19.
In their chase, Kenya’s opening pair of Rushab Patel and Neil Mugabe put on 35 runs in the first six overs. Pushpak Sharma, returning to the team, scored 10 before being dismissed. Apart from Patel’s steady innings, Kenya’s other batsmen struggled, with only the skipper managing 14 off 12 balls. Usemi Prosper was the star bowler for Nigeria, taking 2 for 9.
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The series will take a break on Sunday and resume on Monday with the third T20 at the same venue.