Kenya outclass Tanzania in cricket tie

Tanzania lost to Kenya by 93 runs in the opening day of the Senior Women Cricket Championship held at Sir Ali Muslim Club in Nairobi on Tuesday. According to Kenyan sources, the hosts elected to bat first and went on to garner 161-8 runs in 50 overs.

In reply, Tanzania's run chase choked under tight bowling and
fielding play as they lost wickets at regular intervals to be dismissed to 68 in 29 overs. Kenya's Sarah Bhakita emerged the top scorer of the match after firing 39 runs while wicket keeper Maria Aimee managed 37 not out. Tanzania's Monica Pascal and Khadija Nasibu were the pick of bowlers with figures of 3-25 and 2-22 respectively.

Tanzania, who are the defending champions of the continental event, need to bounce back quickly in order to revive their hopes of retaining the title. The weeklong event was to
involve Zambia, Rwanda and Burundi, but the trio pulled out at the eleventh hour.

According to organisers of the tournament, the African Cricket Association (ACA), winners would go home with shiny trophies. Despite failing to get off to a glittering start, team's officials in Kenya still harboured hopes to recover and
win the coming games.

"We tried our best to win the match, but losing is also part of the game and we've to learn to accept defeats," said Hamis Abdallah, the team's head coach.

Tanzania were expected to clash with Uganda yesterday while the hosts would have a date against Uganda at the same venue today. Meanwhile, Kenya snatched a close victory over rivals Tanzania by four runs on the second day of the Africa Under-15 Girls Tournament played at Kyambogo Cricket Oval in Uganda on Monday