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Kenya’s steady run at the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier 2023 received a boost on Saturday following their third successive win against Tanzania, moving them joint top on six points alongside hosts Namibia.

Under the guidance of Lameck Onyango and Joseph Angara, the national team has secured victories in all three initial encounters against Rwanda, Nigeria, and Tanzania, although their performances were not particularly satisfying, especially in the first two games. Currently, Kenya’s net run rate of +1.188 is considered below par by analysts. Namibia, leading the standings, boasts a solid net run rate of +2.896 after routine wins over Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Kenya, having rested yesterday, faces tricky opponents Namibia today afternoon and is in line for qualification to the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup Championships, to be jointly held in West Indies & the USA. Saturday’s game witnessed Kenya securing a promising 50-run victory over Tanzania after two slow starts. The experienced trio of Collins Obuya, Shem Ngoche, and Irfan Karim have once again delivered for the team, aiming to make an impact in a World Cricket event after nearly a decade.

Namibia holds a 1-0 head-to-head record in recent Twenty20 meetings against Kenya. In their 2019 encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Kenya suffered a defeat by 94 runs. Presently ranked 30th in the World in T20i Competitions, Kenya contrasts Namibia, placed 12th with 4261 points from 22 matches and a rating of 195. Kenya, having played 30 matches in recent statistics, has accumulated 3137 points with a rating of 105.

Having triumphed against Rwanda by 17 runs in the opening match last week and clinching a four-wicket win over Nigeria, Kenya anticipates a challenging match against the hosts, who lead the qualifiers. Meanwhile, outside contenders Zimbabwe and Uganda, placed third and fourth respectively in the standings, have three games each remaining in the tournament, with winners and runners-up to be determined by the close of Thursday this week.