Mortaza destroys Kenya

A destructive 6 for 26 from quick bowler Mashrafe Mortaza helped Bangladesh complete a series whitewash in their ODI series against Kenya.

The Kenyan batsmen never had any control in their innings, managing neither to score at a decent run rate off any of the tourists bowlers nor keep the predatory Mortaza at bay, and only managed to set Bangladesh a total of 119 to win.

The signs were ominous for the hosts straight away, as left armer Syed Rasel swung the first ball of the game into Kennedy Otieno’s pads to remove the opener and justify Khaled Mashud’s decision to insert the hosts, having won the toss. Spin was introduced to the innings early when Mohammad Rafique came on to bowl the 7th over, and bowled straight through all three powerplays. The batsmen Maurice Ouma and Malhar Patel worked hard to solidify the innings, but Rafique managed to bowl Ouma, pushing forwards, with the score on 35.

Then came Mortaza. His introduction had an immediate effect. His fifth ball trapped Patel lbw. Steve Tikolo and Tanmay Mishra briefly threatened to counter attack, aided by some chances going down. However, their innings’ were all too brief. Mortaza claimed Tikolo, caught at midwicket by Abdur Razzak, then coaxed Mishra into playing onto his stumps in the next over. Kenya were reeling at 67-5. And it got worse.

The last thing Kenya needed was a poor umpiring decision. Sure enough, Collins Obuya was given out to a disputable lbw call, gifting Mortaza his fourth wicket. Brijal Patel proved to be the fifth in no time at all, edging an away swinger to Farhad Reza at slip. Thomas Odoyo was fast running out of partners – Nehemiah Odhiambo recorded a second ball duck, Abdur Razzak taking the wicket for a change – but Peter Ongondo stuck around to record a ninth wicket stand of 21. Mortazawas having a brilliant day, though, and he ended Odoyo’s resistance of 29. Syed Rasel claimed Ongondo and Kenya had been bundled out for a pathetic 118.

Bangladesh’s reply started decently, but a small collapse of 4 wickets for 18 runs in 32 balls gave them a scare. Ongondo claimed 2 of them in quick succession, but Saqibul Hasan and Farhad Reza produced an unbeaten partnership of 65 to see the tourists home and round off their first series win away from Bangladesh.

Kenya 118
Thomas Odoyo 29, Malhar Patel 15
Mashrafe Mortaza 6-26, Syed Rasel 2-18

Bangladesh 120-4
Farhad Reza 41*, Saqibul Hasan 25*
Peter Ongondo 2-37, Thomas Odoyo 1-20

Bangladesh win by 6 wickets

CricketWeb player of the match: Mashrafe Mortaza