Tikolo leads Aces to Twenty20 title

Eastern Aces won Kenya's inaugural Elite Twenty20 league with back-to-back wins in the weekend's matches.

The Aces and Western Chiefs were the only sides to come into the weekend with unbeaten records, and the Chiefs lost that when they were easily beaten by Northern Nomads on Saturday. David Obuya's 52-ball 79 pushed the Nomads to 165 for 4, and the Chiefs were never in the hunt, finishing on 103 for 7.

The Aces, however, maintained their good start. Steve Tikolo smashed the tournament's only hundred, his 108 forming the bulk of his side's 179 for 6, and he then took 2 for 9 to restrict Southern Stars to 145, with Kennedy Otieno's 50 the one major contribution.

On Sunday, the Aces secured the title with another convincing win, beating the Chiefs by 61 runs. Tikolo again took centre stage, smashing three sixes in his 37-ball 51 as the Aces made 160 for 4. The Chiefs made a shocking start, limping to 21 for 4 in the ninth over before finishing on 99 for 8.

The Nomads clinched second place with a 14-run victory over the Stars, who finished bottom of the table without a win. Thomas Odoyo crashed 64 off 47 balls, including four sixes, as the Nomads posted 136 for 4, and the Stars looked to be well placed when they needed 30 off the last three overs with four wickets in hand before they lost their way.

The Aces collected Sh150,000 (US$2200) for finishing top while the Nomads picked up Sh75,000 (US$1100).