Kenya lose despite Patel ton

Batsman Rakep Patel struck a whirlwind century, but could not prevent Kenya from slipping to a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Nepal in Saturday's World Twenty20 Qualifier fixture at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.

Batsman Rakep Patel struck a whirlwind century, but could not prevent Kenya from slipping to a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Nepal in Saturday's World Twenty20 Qualifier fixture at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.

Patel's 103 spanned a mere 44 minutes and 45 balls, featuring five fours and all of 10 sixes. The hard-hitting right-hander was particularly aggressive during a 131-run partnership alongside wicketkeeper-batsman Morris Ouma.

Seamer Jitendra Mukhiya and left-arm slow bowler Basant Regmi were reasonably economical in staving off the onslaught of boundaries, while Sharad Vesawkar conceded a whopping 30 runs from a single over – in a final total of 182 for seven.

Nepal's pursuit was a understandably a hurried affair, with quickfire half-centuries from opener Subash Khakurel and a complementary cameo of 32 in 22 deliveries maintaining the hunt.

Kenya's seven-man bowling attack struggled despite a ballooning asking rate, with the right-handed Paras Khadka's cavalier 54 not out and an inventive 23 not out from Vesawkar soon tolling with two balls to spare.

Kenya's next fixture will be against Denmark, while Nepal will face Scotland. Both matches will take place on Monday.

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