Kenya v UAE, ICC Trophy final, 1994

United Arab Emirates win ICC Trophy at first attempt

By Andy Capostagno

The United Arab Emirates won the ICC Trophy when they beat Kenya by two wickets in the final at Ruaraka. The two teams had already qualified for the 1996 World Cup along with Trophy third-placed team the Netherlands. But Kenya, hoping to sign off with a morale-boosting vic- tory, found 281 for 6 was not enough on a good wicket. Despite a late stutter, the UAE lifted the Trophy with five balls to spare, a fine performance on their first appearance in the competition.

Put in to bat, Kenya lost an early wicket when Dipak Chudasama was caught at mid on in the second over without scoring. But the prolific Maurice Odumbe joined Kennedy Otieno and the pair consolidated well. Otieno finally misjudged the flight of a delivery from slow left armer Azhar Saeed and was caught and bowled for 49 with the total on 99.

But that was the signal for Kenya to cut loose as Odumbe and Steve Tikolo got the measure of the UAE bowling. They added 103 in just 92 balls before Odumbe was bowled aiming a heave at paceman Johan Samarasekera. Odumbe made 87 from 115 balls, while Tikolo was fifth out for 54 made in 53 balls. Tikolo's elder brother, Tom, supervised the slog in the latter overs and finished on 42 not out.

But on a good wicket, the Kenyan score looked a shade light and so it proved. UAE openers Riaz Poonawala (71) and Azhar Saeed (59) laid the perfect foundation with an opening stand of 141 in 28 overs. Then Mohammad Ishaq upped the run rate in a 36- ball innings which realised 51 runs.

The UAE looked home and dry at 233 for 3 in the 41st over, but pace bowler Martin Suji returned to the attack to spark a mini collapse. The UAE lost three wickets for 21 runs as the Kenyans put the pressure on in the field. But Vijay Mehra kept his cool and hit 34 runs in 34 balls to settle the issue.