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Kenya will take on Nepal in the third match of the five-match T20I series. The series is set up nicely at 1-1 with 3 games left. Kenya made a stunning comeback to win the previous match by 18 runs. After a disappointing loss in the series opener, the hosts bounced back thanks to a terrific bowling performance where they managed to defend 132 runs. Nepal will be keen to make a turnaround and it promises to be a fascinating contest.
The game will be played at the Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi starting at 13:00 local time on Sunday 28th August.
Kenya leveled the series at 1-1 on Friday with Rakep Patel batting the difference between the teams. After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, the middle order powerhouse of Irfan Karim, Rakep Patel, Sachin Bhudia, and Nehemiah Odhiambo took Kenya to a total of 132-9. Apart from those four batters, the rest of the line-up all contributed single-figure scores although Lucas Oluoch did finish unbeaten and hit a six. With the ball, spinner Vraj Patel took two wickets for the second successive game and he was well supported by opening pair Emmanuel Bhundi and Lucas Oluoch who also took two wickets each.
Nepal would have arrived at the Gymkhana Club Ground on Friday expecting to build on their win on Thursday and leave with a 2-0 lead. However, it did not quite go to plan despite some exceptional bowling from the young spin duo of captain Sandeep Lamichhane and all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee who both finished with three wickets to their name. Basir Ahamad was the only bowler to be remotely expensive but it was the batting that let the side down. Aarif Sheikh top scored with 25 runs from 21 balls and was one of two players, alongside Mohammad Adil Alam to hit a six in the innings.
KEN vs NEP Match Details:
Match: Kenya vs Nepal, 3rd T20I
Venue: Nairobi Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi
Date & Time: 28th August at 3:30 PM IST
KEN vs NEP, 3rd T20I, Probable Playing XIs:
Kenya
Alex Obanda, Collins Obuya, Irfan Karim(w), Rakep Patel, Sachin Bhudia, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Shem Ngoche(c), Lucas Oluoch, Emmanuel Bundi, Eugene Ochieng, Vraj Patel
Nepal
Pawan Sarraf, Aasif Sheikh(w), Gyanendra Malla, Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Aadil Ansari, Karan KC, Basir Ahamad, Sandeep Lamichhane(c), Sompal Kami
Top Picks – Kenya
Rakep Patel
He looked in good touch with the bat scoring 35 runs in his previous game at a strike rate of 140.
Lucas Oluoch
He has been terrific throughout the series and has picked up 4 wickets in 2 matches.
Top Picks – Nepal
KC Karan
He was very impressed with the new ball, picking up 2 wickets in the previous match.
Dipendra Singh
He is a quality all-rounder and picked up 3 wickets in the last match.
KEN vs NEP Match Pitch Report
The match will be played at the Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi. Spinners continue to enjoy bowling on this pitch. The ball grips and turns on the surface and we expect a par score of around 125.
Kenya vs Nepal Prediction
We have had two quite close games in Nairobi so far in this series and we expect another tight affair on Sunday. Nepal has the better bowlers but it seems that Kenya’s batters are more comfortable batting on this surface. We are backing Kenya to win this match.
Final Verdict
Kenya are favorites to beat Nepal.
