Kenya survived an early scare to beat Rwanda by four wickets in the four-nation T20 Series at the Nairobi Sikh Union on Wednesday.
Kenya were reduced to 43 for 4 inside the powerplay before Neil Mugabe inspired them to a remarkable bounce-back, extending their unbeaten run.
Mugabe hit 71 off 46 balls as Kenya scored 172 for six in 17.4 overs in reply to Rwanda’s 168 for one.
“Having four wickets down in less than six overs should worry any team. We were worried but Mugabe did what is needed of a top order by sticking in through the storm, ensuring we come out of it,” said skipper Rakep Patel.
It was the fifth successive win for Kenya in the four-team event and a second over Rwanda.
The Rwandese put on a good account of themselves as they batted first, losing just one wicket as, once again, Kenyan bowlers struggled on the flat wicket.
For the fifth time in as many matches, Oscar Manishimwe scored a half-century as Rwanda posted what looked like a comfortable total.
Openers Manishimwe (79) and Didier Ndikubwimana (50) put on a tournament’s record stand of 114 in 13 overs to set a good platform for Rwanda’s big total.
After Shem Ngoche picked the only wicket by trapping Ndikubwimana, Hamza Khan (29) gave Manishimwe an unbeaten stand of 54 in seven overs.
Rwanda took two wickets off Rushab Patel and skipper Rakep in the first over.
There was panic in Kenya’s camp when Sachin Bhudiya fell three overs later and a hesitant calling led to a mix-up.
Sukdeep Singh was run out to leave Kenya on 43 for 4 in powerplay as Mugabe was left stranded.
However, Kenya managed to bounce back after Lucas Oluoch gave Mugabe the much-needed stand in a six-over stand that put on 50 runs.
Oluoch scored 32 from 22 balls before he was caught in the deep. Jasraj Kundi shone with the bat as he scored 31 from 17 balls to leave Rwanda wondering what went wrong despite putting themselves in good stead for a maiden victory over the hosts.
Kenya play Malawi on Thursday while Rwanda face Zambia.