Kenya battle back into contention

Kenya Select 147 and 14 for 0 trail Zimbabwe A 234 (Dabengwa 92, Varaiya 3-43) by 73 runs
Scorecard

Kenya Select turned in a more impressive second-day performance at Harare Sports Club, restricting Zimbabwe A to a first-innings lead of 87.

Zimbabwe were bailed out by Keith Dabengwa. He has been the star of the Logan Cup with the ball, the leading wicket-taker by some way, but this time he shone with the bat. His 92 ensured that Zimbabwe, who at one stage were wobbling on 85 for 5, gained what could be a match-winning first-innings lead.

Nehemiah Odhiambo and Alfred Luseno bowled really well in the morning session to get rid of the two overnight batsmen. Eric Chauluka added nine to his overnight 18 before being bowled by Odhiambo. Hamilton Masakadza was dismissed fishing outside off stump to Luseno, nicking to wicketkeeper David Obuya for 20.

Regis Chakabva never settled, getting off the mark with an edge off Luseno. He scored three more boundaries in his 20 before he fell first ball after lunch, getting a faint edge off Jimmy Kamande.

Dabengwa freed his shoulders and smacked a pulled six and a couple of fours as he switched into attacking mode. He put on 63 for the eighth wicket with Blessing Mahwire but with a second first-class ton in sight, he perished to a sloppy slog-sweep off Hiren Varaiya, skying the ball to Elijah Otieno at deep midwicket.

Varaiya, who finished with 3 for 43, removed Blessing Mahwire next over and Collins Obuya brought himself into the attack for the first time in the match and trapped Trevor Garwe with his second ball to end the innings.

In their second innings, Kenya safely batted out four overs before bad light ended play with three overs remaining.