Kenya banking on veterans Obuya and Ngoche as they face rivals Uganda in T20 cricket finals
Two Kenyan senior cricket players will be hoping their impressive display against Uganda in recent times will count for something when the sides meet in a renewed rivalry during the finals of the Continental T20 Cup-Africa at Nairobi Gymkhana this afternoon.
The duo featuring batsman Collins Obuya and left arm orthodox bowler Shem Ngoche have been in recent tournaments like Africa Cricket Association Cup held in South Africa in 2022, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier in Rwanda last year, Uganda T20 Tri-Series in 2021 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Region Final in Uganda 2019.
Veteran all-rounder Obuya has so far amassed 474 runs in all fixtures against Uganda and the highest average of 79.0 just ahead of his former Coach and International teammate Steve Tikolo. His highest single score in an individual match was 96 on the board and therefore the Ugandans will be well aware of the threat the 42 year old possesses.
Immediate former Team Captain Shem Ngoche knows a thing or two about collecting the Ugandan wickets.
So far in all recent fixtures,the Stray Lions all-rounder has been particularly deadly from the spin department of his game with19 wickets haul against Uganda alone.
His spell in a single game was a 4/14 was his highest against the neighbors and so his influence in the game could be felt.
Another experienced player that could well define the direction of the game today is the Kanbis Sports Club batsman and national team Captain Rakep Patel,33,who is making a return stab at his former job.
The player who can also play as bowler (Right Arm Offbreak) made his debut for the national team in 2008 against Scotland in Belfast in a T20 engagement.
Thus far,Patel in the last two years has had 56 runs against Ugandans in T20 competitions and his presence of mind plus the experience at such stages should be a boost for Team Kenya.
His leadership qualities could also prove indeed beneficial for the team in this important game.