Khurram's spell restricts Kenya

Sharjah: UAE put up an impressive show on the third day of the four-day International Cricket Council (ICC) Intercontinental Cup match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

UAE, who were struggling at 185 for 8 chasing Kenya's first innings total of 326 runs on the second day, managed to reduce the lead to 102 runs yesterday.

Wicketkeeper Amjad Ali hit an unbeaten 51 and along with Wasim Bari (29) put on 45 runs for the ninth wicket.

UAE then went on to bowl out Kenya for 171 runs. Left-arm spinner Khurram Khan who had a five-wicket spell against Namibia, produced another fine spell taking four wickets for just 26 runs.

UAE's opening bowler Fahad Hashimi once again gave an early breakthrough by dismissing opener David Obuya for 5 and then went on to clean bowl Kenya skipper Steve Tikolo for 5.

College boy Ahmed Raza too bowled brilliantly to trap Thomas Odoyo leg before for 5 and also clean bowl Alex Obanda for 19.

Khurram Khan tightened the grip by trapping opener Morris Ouma leg before for 41. Khurram struck again to trap Ondik Suji leg before and Kenya soon slipped to 88 for 6.

James Kamande came to Kenya's rescue with a brilliant unbeaten 62 studded with six boundaries.

UAE skipper Saqib Ali too rose to the occasion and took two quick wickets and Kenya were bundled out for 171 runs.

Chasing 273 to win, UAE has lost their star batsman Arshad Ali for 5. Nightwatchman Ahmad Raza and Rashid Khan are at the crease.

The match is excitingly poised with UAE needing 256 runs to win with nine wickets in hand.

Scores

Kenya first innings: 326 in 117.3 overs

UAE first innings: 224 (Rashid Khan 38, Arshad Ali 34, Amjad Ali 52n.o, Wasim Bari 29, Hiren Viriaya 5 for 50, James Kamande 2 for 31)

Kenya second innings: 171 in 73.2 overs (Morris Ouma 41, James Kamande 62n.o, Khurram Khan 4for 26, Ahmad Raza 2 for 25, Saqib Ali 2 for 26, Fahad Hashimi 2 for 29).

UAE second innings: 17 for 1.