Emmanuel Bundi starred with both bat and ball as debutants Rwanda received a baptism of fire yesterday as Kenya won their opening match of the East Africa Under 15’s tournament at Nairobi Club by a whopping 266 runs.

Everything went Kenya’s way right from the start as they won the toss and elected to bat with Bundi imposing himself from the first ball. Though Kenya lost Naveed Najmi in the second over, Bundi was joined by Irfan Karim and the two put on a century stand for the second wicket before Karim was dismissed one run short of his half century. Bundi continued to press and received support from first Venkatesh Laxman (26) and then the Skipper Kennedy Owino (23). Bundi finally fell for 102 in the thirtieth over having brought up his century with a boundary. His runs came off only 85 balls and included fourteen fours.

Rwanda did fight back with a flurry of cheap wickets as the hosts tried to go for quick runs, but too many extras (51) and a late cameo by Keval Patel, who hit 28 at number ten, lifted Kenya to an imposing 315 all out. Though Rwanda were expensive, they can take heart that they prevented Kenya from batting their full overs and Jean Claude Siboniyo especially bowled well to take 4/59. Rwanda’s other main wicket taker was Derrick Bayingana with 2/56.

In reply, Rwanda showed their lack of experience as they fell easy prey to the Kenyan bowling. Bundi was again the main destroyer taking 4 wickets for only 16 runs. His first breakthrough came in his second over, followed up by one in his third and then two in his fifth. Keval Patel joined the party with his spin taking 3 wickets for only 5 runs in two overs. Rwanda were skittled for 49 with Emmanuel Ruiganga the highest scorer with 9 runs with six batsmen were dismissed for ducks.

It was a convincing display from Kenya, but no less than they should have produced considering the inexperience of the opposition. Their next match is today versus Tanzania who suffered a heavy defeat in their first match, going down to Uganda by 220 runs. Andrew Ochan top scored for the Ugandans with 104 of their 297 while Nadir Hirji took 3/16 as Tanzania folded for 77. Nassoro Zahoro took 3-24 for Tanzania while Michael Kepha top scored for them with 23 runs.

Kenya meet Uganda in the final and most difficult match tomorrow at Parklands sports club.

Scores summary:
Kenya Under 15s 315 (Emmanuel Bundi 102, Irfan Karim 49, Jean Claude Siboniyo 4/59)
beat
Rwanda Under 15s 49 (Emmanuel Bundi 4/16, Keval Patel 3/5)
by 266 runs.

Uganda Under 15s 297 (Andrew Ochan 104, Nassoro Zahoro 3/24)
beat
Tanzania Under 15s 77 (Michael Kepha 23, Nadir Hirji 3/16)

In the girls competition, Kenya lost to Uganda by 8 wickets at Pepnoi School. Further details are unavailable.