Bagai,Hansra help Canada open WC account

Canada will remember this day,while Kenyas forgettable campaign simply continued.

Canadas batsmen faltered,against Shahid Afridis spin,after they were 104 for 4 in the 34th over against Pakistan to throw away a chance of pulling off an upset win but against Kenya,led by the captains unbeaten 64 and Hansras 70,they opened their account.

Going by numbers Canada excelled against Kenya,which slummed to their fourth defeat in as many games. Canadas highest score in three games prior to this was the 138 they made while chasing against Pakistan. On Tuesday,they made 199 for five after being reduced to 48 for three in the 12th over. Prior to this game,their average score in 12 matches versus Kenya was 156.

For Kenya the defeat would have been an humbling experience. Kenya reached the semifinals in 2003,while on Tuesday Canada registered only their second ever win (they beat Bangladesh in 2003) in four editions of the tournament. Canada has won their last four games against Kenya,including Tuesdays hard-fought affair.

While Bagai and Hansra were the heroes for Canada,their Uganda-born medium pacer Henry Osinde put Kenya in trouble by picking up three early wickets. The fightback from the Kenyan side came in the form of half-centuries from Thomas Odoyo and Tanmay Mishra. From three for 21,Kenya did well to finish at 198 all out. Harvir Baidwan and Rizwan Cheema picked up two wickets.

With the target,being one which Canada hadnt got close to in this tournament,skipper Bagai promoted the hard-hitting Cheema up the order. Cheema responded with 17 off 13 deliveries but his innings didnt do much to turn the tide in Canadas favour.

It was part of the goal coming in, Bagai said of the win over Kenya. Were living in the present. Henry bowled fantastic first up,got us the advantage,and then we pulled it back. Hoping we can use this to spark us for the next two games, the Canada skipper added.