Kenya fight hard as Afghanistan surge towards win

Kenya 160 and 324 for 6 (D Obuya 79, Ouma 68, Tikolo 55, C Obuya 52) need 188 runs to beat Afghanistan 464 and 207 (Ahmadi 55, Ngoche 5-39, Otieno 4-44)
Scorecard

Kenya's bowlers, followed by their batsmen, made a strong rally on the third day, but Afghanistan were still in control and in sight of victory that would take them to the top of the table in the Intercontinental Cup.

Resuming their second innings with a lead of 470 and five wickets standing, Afghanistan were not allowed to pile on the runs with the ease of the first innings. Offspinner James Ngoche, who had struck twice on the second day, ran through the lower order along with Elijah Otieno. Ngoche picked his first five-wicket haul while Otieno finished with four as Afghanistan were bowled out for 207.

Chasing a mammoth 512 for victory, Kenya's top order came together with a string of determined starts but, unfortunately for them, was unable to kick on. Seren Waters' dismissal in the first over gave little indication of the resistance that was to follow. David Obuya led the chase with a patient 79 while his top-order colleagues Collins Obuya and Steve Tikolo played around him. Both scored fifties, adding 90 and 99 respectively with David Obuya as Kenya launched a strong riposte.

Maurice Ouma took over the lead responsibility after David Obuya and Tikolo exited within 13 runs of each other, scoring 68 off 112 balls as Kenya crossed 300. Afghanistan breathed easy after Ouma's dismissal with stumps in sight, and they have Thomas Odoyo and the tail to deal with on the final day as they press for a win.