Kenya national cricket team

The Kenya men's national cricket team represents the Republic of Kenya in international cricket. Kenya is an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) which has Twenty20 International (T20I) status after the ICC granted T20I status to all its members.<ref name="International Cricket Council">Template:Cite web</ref>

They have been an associate member of the ICC since 1981. Since then they have played in five Cricket World Cups from 1996 to 2011 with their best result being a bronze medal finish as the semi-final appearance at the 2003 Cricket World Cup in Southern Africa. They have only qualified for one ICC World Twenty20 tournament, in 2007. The Kenyan national team is governed by Cricket Kenya.

Kenya gained One Day International (ODI) status in 1996 in preparation for the 1996 Cricket World Cup and would have it for eighteen years before losing it at the 2014 Cricket World Cup Qualifier where they finished in the fifth place. Kenya is set to play the qualifiers round for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

ICC membership

Long considered the strongest part of the East Africa team,<ref name="Hist" /> Kenya broke away in 1981 and joined the ICC in their own right as an associate member,<ref>Kenya at Cricket Archive</ref> shortly after a tour of Zimbabwe in 1980/81. They played two three-day matches against Zimbabwe on that tour, losing both.<ref>Kenya in Zimbabwe Template:Webarchive, 1980/81 at Cricket Archive</ref> Kenya played in the ICC Trophy in their own right in 1982,<ref name="ICC82">1982 ICC Trophy Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref> 1986,<ref name="ICC86">1986 ICC Trophy Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref> and 1990,<ref name="ICC90">1990 ICC Trophy Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref> also playing their first first-class match against Pakistan B in September 1986.<ref>Scorecard of Kenya v Pakistan B match, 12 September 1986 at Cricket Archive</ref>

Current squad

This lists all active players who featured for Kenya in the current series held in Jersey. Updated as of 31 August 2025.

Name	Age	Batting style	Bowling style	Notes
Batters
Pushkar Sharma	24	Left-handed	Left-arm medium
Dhiren Gonderia	30	Right-handed	Right-arm off break	Captain
Sachin Bhudia	31	Right-handed	Right-arm medium
Jasraj Kundi	26	Right-handed	Right-arm medium
All-rounders
Nelson Odhiambo	36	Right-handed	Right-arm medium
Rakep Patel	36	Right-handed	Right-arm off break
Wicketkeeper
Sukhdeep Singh	24	Right-handed	-
Spin bowlers
Shem Ngoche	36	Right-handed	Slow left-arm orthodox
Vraj Patel	23	Left-handed	Slow left-arm orthodox
Vishil Patel	20	Right-handed	Right-arm leg break
Pace bowlers
Lucas Oluoch	34	Right-handed	Left-arm medium	Vice-captain
Peter Langat	31	Right-handed	Right-arm medium
Francis Mutua	23	Right-handed	Right-arm medium
Tanzeel Sheikh	29	Right-handed	Right-arm medium

History

East Africa team

Full article: East Africa cricket team

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda combined to form the East Africa cricket team, which became an associate member of the ICC in 1966.<ref>East Africa at Cricket Archive</ref> They continued playing amongst themselves, and were joined by Zambia in a quadrangular tournament played annually between 1966 and 1980.<ref name="Hist">A history of Kenyan cricket Template:Webarchive</ref>

India toured East Africa in 1967<ref>India in East Africa, 1967 Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref> and played a three-day match against Kenya on 5 August, which was drawn.<ref>Scorecard of Kenya v India match, 5 August 1967 at Cricket Archive</ref> Various tours of, and by, East Africa continued, including a tour of England in 1972<ref>East Africa in England, 1972 Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref> and a first-class match between East Africa and the MCC at Nairobi Gymkhana Club in 1974<ref>Scorecard of East Africa v MCC match, 18 January 1974 at Cricket Archive</ref> before East Africa took part in the first Cricket World Cup.

The 1975 Cricket World Cup took place in England, and East Africa was one of two non-test teams invited to the tournament, the other being Sri Lanka.<ref name="WC75">World Cup 1975 Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref> Kenya provided half of the fourteen-man squad for the tournament.<ref name="Hist" /> After warm-up matches against Somerset, Wales, Glamorgan and various club sides, they played in the same first round group as England, India and New Zealand, losing to all three.<ref name="WC75" /> The World Cup was followed by a first-class match against Sri Lanka at the County Ground, Taunton.<ref>Scorecard of East Africa v Sri Lanka match, 23 June 1975 at Cricket Archive</ref>

East Africa then took part in the 1979 ICC Trophy, the first ICC Trophy tournament, but did not progress beyond the first round, thus missing out on qualification for the 1979 World Cup.<ref name="ICC79">1979 ICC Trophy Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref>

1996 World Cup

The 1994 ICC Trophy was hosted in Nairobi and Kenya finished as runners-up to the UAE, thus qualifying for the 1996 World Cup.<ref name="ICC94">1994 ICC Trophy at Cricket Archive</ref> Kenya then played at home against India A in August 1995,<ref>India A in Kenya Template:Webarchive, 1995 at Cricket Archive</ref> and went on a tour to South Africa in September/October that year,<ref>Kenya in South Africa Template:Webarchive, 1995/96 at Cricket Archive</ref> before playing in the World Cup, which was to bring Kenyan cricket to a much wider audience, and catapult them into the spotlight.

Kenya was in the same group as Australia, India, Sri Lanka, the West Indies and Zimbabwe.<ref name="WC96">1996 World Cup at Cricinfo</ref> They played their very first ODI match against India.

Template:Limited overs matches

In what at the time was described as the most startling upsets in the history of the World Cup, Kenya bowled out the West Indies for just 93 and won by 73 runs.<ref>Article on Kenya's win over the West Indies</ref> Template:Single-innings cricket match The Kenya national team arrived in India for its maiden World Cup, having players like Steve Tikolo, Maurice Odumbe and Thomas Odoyo. The team was expected to be crushed by the full member sides in its group and this proved to be correct in most of their matches. But the highlights of their campaign was beating former World Champions the West Indies in a low-scoring affair.

ODI status

Following their World Cup performance, Kenya were given full ODI status by the ICC, and hosted a quadrangular tournament against Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka in September/October 1996.<ref>Sameer Cup Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref> The Netherlands toured in December, playing four one-day matches, with the Kenyans winning them all.<ref>Netherlands in Kenya Template:Webarchive, 1996 at Cricket Archive</ref> They played in the quarter finals of South Africa's Standard Bank Cup in March 1997, losing to Natal by 104 runs at Kingsmead.<ref>Scorecard of Natal v Kenya match, 12 March 1997 at Cricket Archive</ref> Following this was the 1997 ICC Trophy, hosted in Malaysia.<ref name="ICC97">1997 ICC Trophy Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref> Kenya reached the final, where they lost to Bangladesh by two wickets.<ref>Scorecard of Bangladesh v Kenya, 1997 ICC Trophy Final, 12 April 1997 at Cricket Archive</ref> This was followed by a tri-series against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in October the same year in Nairobi.<ref>KCA President's Cup Template:Webarchive 1997 at Cricket Archive</ref>

England A were the first opposition in 1998, touring Kenya in January. The three-day match ended in a draw, while England A won the only one-day match that wasn't abandoned due to the weather.<ref>England A in Kenya Template:Webarchive 1997 at Cricket Archive</ref> After this was another spot in the quarter final of the Standard Bank Cup, this time losing to Gauteng by 8 wickets.<ref>Scorecard of Gauteng v Kenya match, 14 January 1998 at Cricket Archive</ref> Kenya visited India in May, playing a triangular ODI series against Bangladesh and India.<ref>Coca-Cola Triangular Series Template:Webarchive 1998 at Cricket Archive</ref> In the final match of the round-robin stage, Kenya pulled off an upset by beating India by 69 runs.<ref>Scorecard of India v Kenya match, 28 May 1998 at Cricket Archive</ref>

Template:Single-innings cricket match

Kenya then competed in the cricket tournament at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Drawn in the same first round group as New Zealand, Pakistan and Scotland, Kenya only beat the Scots, and finished third in the points table for the group.<ref name="CG98">1998 Commonwealth Games cricket tournament Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref>

Kenya warmed up for the 1999 World Cup with a triangular series in Bangladesh against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.<ref>Meril International Tournament Template:Webarchive 1999 at Cricket Archive</ref> In the 1999 World Cup itself, they were placed in the same first round group as England, India, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Following warm-up games against Somerset, Gloucestershire and Glamorgan, they lost all five of their games in the tournament proper.<ref name="WC99">1999 World Cup Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref> Following the World Cup, they played a quadrangular tournament at home against India, South Africa and Zimbabwe, again losing all their games.<ref>LG Cup Template:Webarchive 1999 at Cricket Archive</ref>

The 21st century started for Kenya with a visit to Zimbabwe to play in the ICC Emerging Nations Tournament against Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Scotland and Zimbabwe A. Kenya won the tournament<ref name="6N00">Emerging Nations Tournament Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref> and took this form onto a seven-match tour of India on which they lost just one game.<ref>Kenya in India Template:Webarchive 2000 at Cricket Archive</ref> Pakistan A toured Kenya in July, playing a five match one-day series and a four-day first-class match. The four-day match was drawn, and Kenya won the one-day series 4–1.<ref>Pakistan A in Kenya Template:Webarchive 2000 at Cricket Archive</ref> The 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy was played in Nairobi in October, with Kenya falling to India at the first hurdle.<ref name="KO2000">2000 ICC KnockOut Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref>

The first opponents for Kenya in 2001 were Sri Lanka A, who toured Kenya in January, playing two first-class matches and four one-day matches. Both first-class matches were drawn, and Sri Lanka A won the first two one-day games, with the final two being abandoned.<ref>Sri Lanka A in Kenya Template:Webarchive 2001 at Cricket Archive</ref> The West Indies came in August for two first-class games and a three-match ODI series. The first first-class game was won by the West Indies, with the second being drawn, and the three ODIs all went the way of the visitors.<ref>West Indies in Kenya Template:Webarchive 2001 at Cricket Archive</ref> Kenya then played an ODI triangular tournament in South Africa in October, against India and the hosts,<ref>Standard Bank Triangular Tournament Template:Webarchive 2001 at Cricket Archive</ref> and picked up a second ODI win over India.<ref>Scorecard of India v Kenya ODI, 17 October 2001 at Cricket Archive</ref> Template:Single-innings cricket match Zimbabwe A toured Kenya towards the end of the year, losing a first-class series 1–0 and a one-day series 3–2.<ref>Zimbabwe A in Kenya Template:Webarchive 2001 at Cricket Archive</ref> Kenya toured Sri Lanka in early 2002, playing three first-class and three one-day matches against Sri Lanka A. Sri Lanka A won all three of the first-class games, but Kenya won the one-day series 2–1.<ref>Kenya in Sri Lanka Template:Webarchive 2002 at Cricket Archive</ref> The MCC toured Kenya shortly after this, playing one three-day match and six one-day matches against the national side. Five of the one-day matches went the way of the Kenyans before the sixth one-day match and the three-day match were abandoned.<ref>MCC in Kenya Template:Webarchive 2002 at Cricket Archive</ref> Kenya then played in the ICC 6 Nations Challenge tournament in Windhoek, Namibia, playing against Canada, Namibia, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka A and Zimbabwe A.<ref>2002 ICC 6 Nations Challenge Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref> Kenya won the tournament, beating Sri Lanka A by 3 wickets in the final.<ref name="KenSLAF">Scorecard of Kenya v Sri Lanka A match, 14 April 2002 at Cricket Archive</ref> In August/September, Kenya hosted an ODI triangular tournament against Australia and Pakistan, losing all four of their matches.<ref>Kenya PSO Tri-Nation Tournament Template:Webarchive 2002 at Cricket Archive</ref> This was followed by a place in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy, though Kenya lost to the West Indies and South Africa, failing to progress beyond the first round.<ref name="CT02">2002 ICC Champions Trophy Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref>

Namibia toured Kenya in November, playing four one-day games. Kenya won the series 2–1, with one game being abandoned.<ref>Namibia in Kenya Template:Webarchive 2002 at Cricket Archive</ref> Kenya then toured Zimbabwe to round off the year, playing three one-day matches against Zimbabwe A, and a three-match ODI series against the full Zimbabwean side. Zimbabwe won the ODI series 2–0, with one match finishing in a no result, and Zimbabwe A won their series against Kenya 2–1.<ref>Kenya in Zimbabwe Template:Webarchive 2002 at Cricket Archive</ref>

2003 World Cup and decline

The 2003 Cricket World Cup was to be Kenya's finest moment in international cricket to date. The tournament was held in South Africa, with Kenya hosting their two matches against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.<ref>2003 World Cup schedule at Cricinfo</ref> The tournament started with a defeat to South Africa,<ref>Scorecard of South Africa v Kenya match, 12 February 2003 at Cricket Archive</ref> but Kenya bounced back with a four wicket win over Canada in Cape Town.<ref>Scorecard of Canada v Kenya match, 15 February 2003 at Cricket Archive</ref> New Zealand forfeited their match against Kenya in Nairobi due to safety concerns,<ref>Scorecard of abandoned Kenya v New Zealand match, 21 February 2003 at Cricket Archive</ref> but Sri Lanka did visit Nairobi and much to their dismay lost by 53 runs as Kenya pulled off another upset victory.<ref>Scorecard of Kenya v Sri Lanka match, 24 February 2003 at Cricket Archive</ref> Template:Limited overs international The tournament continued, back in South Africa, with a win over Bangladesh<ref>Scorecard of Bangladesh v Kenya match, 1 March 2003 at Cricket Archive</ref> and a defeat to the West Indies.<ref>Scorecard of Kenya v West Indies match, 4 March 2003 at Cricket Archive</ref> Kenya had done enough to qualify for the Super Six stage, becoming the first non-test nation to progress beyond the first round of the World Cup. In the Super Six stage, they lost to India<ref>Scorecard of India v Kenya match, 7 March 2003 at Cricket Archive</ref> and Australia,<ref>Scorecard of Australia v Kenya match, 15 March 2003 at Cricket Archive</ref> but beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets,<ref>Scorecard of Kenya v Zimbabwe match, 12 March 2003 at Cricket Archive</ref> qualifying for the semi-final, where they lost to India by 91 runs.<ref name="WC03SF">Scorecard of India v Kenya World Cup semi-final match, 20 March 2003 at Cricket Archive</ref>

Kenya's World Cup success was rewarded with a spot in a quadrangular tournament at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, but they lost all three of their games.<ref>Cherry Blossom Sharjah Cup Template:Webarchive 2003 at Cricket Archive</ref>

Kenya's failure in the above tournament is perhaps indicative of how they failed to capitalise on their World Cup success, though it must be said that not all of that failure was on the field. Although Kenya were given plenty of matches against national A sides, and played in the Carib Beer Cup in the West Indies in 2004,<ref>2004 Carib Beer Cup Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref> Kenya only played two ODIs in the three years after the Sharjah tournament, against India and Pakistan in the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy.<ref name="CT04">2004 ICC Champions Trophy Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref>

Off-field setbacks also occurred. Maurice Odumbe was banned for match-fixing in August 2004,<ref>Maurice Odumbe player profile at Cricinfo</ref> and a series of strikes by players<ref name="CIHist">History of Kenyan cricket at Cricinfo</ref> led to a weakened Kenyan side being eliminated from the inaugural ICC Intercontinental Cup at the semi-final stage by Scotland.<ref name="KenScoSF">Scorecard of Kenya v Scotland semi-final, 17 November 2004 at Cricket Archive</ref> By the end of the dispute in 2005, Kenyan cricket had no sponsors and was in virtual international isolation.<ref name="CIHist" /> At that stage the governing body had dissolved internally and Kenyan cricket opportunities were limited and international cricket for them had virtually ceased.

Rebuilding

2005 to 2007

A rebuilding process began in 2005. The player strikes ceased, and Kenya again reached the semi-finals of the Intercontinental Cup. They warmed up for the semi-finals in Windhoek with a tour of Zimbabwe, to play two first-class and one one-day match against Zimbabwe A. They won all three of those games,<ref name="KinZ0506">Kenya in Zimbabwe 2005/06 Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref> and drew against Bermuda in the semi-final of the 2005 ICC Intercontinental Cup<ref>Scorecard of Bermuda v Kenya match, 23 October 2005 at Cricket Archive</ref> but lost to Ireland in the final, despite scoring 404/4 in their first innings.<ref name="IreKenF">Scorecard of Ireland v Kenya final, 27 October 2005 at Cricket Archive</ref>

In early 2006, the Kenya Cricket Association was disbanded and replaced by Cricket Kenya.<ref name="CIHist" /> The rebuilding process was in full swing as Kenya began playing ODI cricket again. Their return to ODI cricket was a five match series against Zimbabwe, which was drawn 2–2 with one match abandoned.<ref name="KinZ0506" /> This was followed by a four match ODI series against Bangladesh, with Kenya losing all four matches in that series.<ref>Kenya in Bangladesh Template:Webarchive 2006 at Cricket Archive</ref> Their 2006 ICC Intercontinental Cup campaign got off to a poor start with a draw against the Netherlands<ref>Scorecard of Kenya v Netherlands match, 29 March 2006 at Cricket Archive</ref> and a defeat to Canada,<ref>Scorecard of Canada v Kenya match, 29 July 2006 at Cricket Archive</ref> but they bounced right back with two ODI wins over Canada at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club.<ref>Kenya in Canada Template:Webarchive 2006 at Cricket Archive</ref> Bangladesh toured Kenya in August, winning all three ODIs,<ref>Bangladesh in Kenya 2006 at Cricket Archive</ref> before an Intercontinental Cup draw against Bermuda<ref>Scorecard of Kenya v Bermuda match, 5 November 2006 at Cricket Archive</ref> and three ODI wins over Bermuda.<ref>Bermuda in Kenya Template:Webarchive 2006 at Cricket Archive</ref>

A triangular tournament in Mombasa against Canada and Scotland began Kenya's 2007 and Kenya won the tournament.<ref>ICC Associates Tri-Series (Kenya) Template:Webarchive 2007 at Cricket Archive</ref> They then hosted Division One of the World Cricket League at three grounds in Nairobi, playing against Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands and Scotland. Kenya also won this event, beating Scotland in the final.<ref name="WCLD107">2007 ICC World Cricket League Division One Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref> This was followed by the 2007 World Cup, Kenya's fourth World Cup. Kenya beat Canada in the first round, but lost to England and New Zealand, thus missing out on the Super Eight stage.<ref name="WC07">2007 Cricket World Cup Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref> Template:Single-innings cricket match In October 2007, either side of Intercontinental Cup games, Kenya hosted Canada in two ODIs<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and then Bermuda in three.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Kenya won all five matches, with strong bowling performances setting up relatively comfortable chases batting second.

2008 to 2011

In August 2008, after a break of nine months without a One Day or Twenty20 International, Kenya toured Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands for various series. It proved a disappointing tour overall, with rain and poor Kenyan batting performances being the main themes.

Kenya initially participated in the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the associate qualification tournament for the 2009 ICC World Twenty20. One of the favourites at the start of the tournament, they finished second in Group B with a loss to the Netherlands and a win over Canada, but losses to Ireland and Scotland in the knock-out stages meant that they finished fourth and thus failed to qualify for the World Twenty20.

Kenya then participated in three ODI series across Europe, but these merely resulted in two wash-outs against Scotland, defeat in a rain-affected one-off match to the Netherlands, and losing a three-match series against Ireland 1–0 with two matches affected by rain.

In October 2008, Kenya hosted Ireland and Zimbabwe in an ODI series in Nairobi, but after a loss to Ireland and a win over Zimbabwe, their last three matches were all abandoned due to rain.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After this washed-out series, Kenya then travelled to South Africa for two ODIs, losing heavily in both.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In late January and early February 2009, Kenya played five ODIs at home against Zimbabwe, but lost all of them.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Since the World Cup, a team known as Kenya Select has taken part in Zimbabwe's Logan Cup competition, but did not win a game,<ref>2007 Logan Cup Template:Webarchive at Cricket Archive</ref> also losing to Zimbabwe A.<ref>Scorecard of Zimbabwe A v Kenya Select match, 16 May 2007 at Cricket Archive</ref>

In their opening match of World Cup 2011 campaign, Kenya faced a mammoth defeat from New Zealand by 10 wickets, they were bowled out for 69 runs and New Zealand won the match in just 8 overs without the loss of a wicket.<ref>New Zealand vs Kenya at Cricket Archive</ref>

In 2011, Kenya was whitewashed by the Netherlands national cricket team in a short 2 match ODI series played in Sportspark Westvielt, Voorburg. During this series, Kenya's weak batting was noted. They made only 208/8 in the first match and an even smaller 184/8 in the second match. Seren Waters and Collins Obuya (the national team captain) did, however, have notable performances – the former making 71 in the first match and the latter scoring 54 in the second match.

Reforms in 2011

For years, the Kenyan players had been the Associate nations' most pampered professionals. The first time Cricket Kenya's notice was attracted was when during the 2011 ODI World Cup, there were reports of internal dissent between the team,<ref> Cricket Kenya chief hints at team discord ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2011</ref> as the team had a disastrous World Cup, losing all six of their games.<ref> Disappointing farewell for Tikolo ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2011</ref> Cricket Kenya announced that it would review the World Cup debacle after the tournament was over. This was the beginning of a series of reforms initiated by the board.<ref> Cricket Kenya to review World Cup debacle ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2011</ref>

Following the reviews, the board replaced the former Sahara Elite League with the East African tournaments. While the East Africa Premier League is a Twenty20 tournament, the East African Cup is a 50-over tournament. It is currently hoped that this tournaments will produce further new young talents for Kenya in the future.<ref> Kenya prepare for new superleagues ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2011</ref> Within months, the East African tournaments were regarded in high esteem and the intensity was up to the brink, as an ESPNcricinfo interview with Cricket Kenya CEO Tom Sears revealed.<ref> 'Players know consistency will be the criterion for national selection' ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 December</ref>

Another important reform brought in by the board was to dump the old guard. As described by Cricinfo journalist Martin Williamson, the old guard was not committed to performance and was more keen to selfish gains.<ref> Kenyan board right to dump old guard ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2011</ref> The new contracts had completely cut ties with the past, with Collins Obuya, the new captain, being the oldest player at 29. Experienced players like the former captain Jimmy Kamande, a veteran of five World Cups, Thomas Odoyo, and others were not even considered. As was expected, the left-out players were quick to retort as Kamande said that "the board was selecting players who would be their puppets", while Odoyo opined that "it was malicious and not done in good faith". According to them, it was fast-tracking the death of Kenyan cricket. They were also supported by the Kenyan media.<ref name="espncricinfo.com">Kenya's new contracts cut ties with the past ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2011</ref>

Among the 20 cricketers offered contracts, 13 of them were offered central contracts. To complicate things further, five players turned down those contracts: Alex Obanda, Shem Ngoche, James Ngoche, Nehemiah Odhiambo, and Elijah Otieno. Sears said that they were pleased with the group of seven players who committed to Cricket Kenya, while equally disappointed with those who refused contracts.<ref> Five players turn down Kenya contracts ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2011</ref> Accordingly, they were left out of the squad to face the UAE in the ICC Intercontinental Cup.<ref> Kenya leave out players who refused contracts ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2011</ref>

Cricket Kenya offered contracts to more deserving young, talented players, such as opening batsman Runish Gudhka from Nairobi, the Australian-born all-rounder Duncan Allan, wicketkeeper Irfan Karim, and impressive fast bowlers such as Emmanuel Ringera, Ibrahim Akello, and Dominic Wesonga, who had performed exceedingly well in the regional NPCA and East African leagues.<ref> Youngsters rewarded with central contracts ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2011</ref>

However, the eight players who had refused the contracts offered by the board, with former skipper Morris Ouma, Alfred Luseno and Nelson Odhiambo being late inclusions, asked their views to be heard, and despite the board granting them another chance, they finally took a firm stance against them. While Obanda, Shem and James Ngoche, Odhiambo, and Otieno were made renewed offers, while Ouma, Luseno, and Nelson had a three-month agreement till March 2012 subject to performance. If they could do something good, they could retain their spot in the team. Sears said of this debacle,"It's a shame that yet again some of these players have turned down their contracts but that is their choice. We met with these players as we promised we would, we listened to their views and made them offers that reflected what they wanted – an agreement that would run until the end of the contract year in May 2012 if they met certain performance criteria which all players have to meet. Perhaps the most disappointing aspect was that they refused to represent their teams in the East African Competitions last weekend pulling out at the very last minute. Again sadly it calls into question the professionalism of these players, how committed they are to putting in the effort, their application in fulfilling their potential and the advice they have been getting from their advisors."<ref> Cricket Kenya plays hardball with militant players ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2011</ref>

Another reform was to appoint the former Otago coach Mike Hesson as the national coach.<ref> Mike Hesson appointed Kenya coach ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2011</ref> Immediately afterwards, Hesson announced that he was here to resolve and put to end the dispute between the players and the board. He said that in an interview to the newspaper Otago Daily Times.<ref> Hesson's Kenyan baptism of fire ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2011</ref>

The East Africa finals were rescheduled from October to December 2011 due to heavy showers in Nairobi at that time.<ref> East Africa finals rescheduled for early December ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2011</ref> However, once again, heavy showers in December led the finals again being postponed to January 2012.<ref> East Africa finals again postponed ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2011</ref>

Loss of ODI status: 2014–2023

File:Pushkar Sharma in training session, Nairobi, Kenya, 2022.jpeg

Pushkar Sharma made his debut for the national cricket team of Kenya in the 2020s.

Kenya lost their ODI status after 18 years when they finished outside the top 4 in the 2014 Cricket World Cup Qualifier also failing to qualify for the 2015 Cricket World Cup.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Further failures in the World Cricket League, including a defeat to the USA, meant that Kenya couldn't regain their ODI status while being subsequently relegated to the new Challenge League.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In April 2018, the ICC decided to grant full Twenty20 International (T20I) status to all its members. Therefore, all Twenty20 cricket matches played between Kenya and other ICC members since 1 January 2019 have been full T20I matches.<ref name="International Cricket Council"/>

Recent developments

The Kenyan cricket team reached the final stage of the Africa Qualifier for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup but narrowly missed out on qualification. In an effort to strengthen their performance and strategy, Cricket Kenya appointed former Indian cricketer Dodda Ganesh as the new head coach, bringing in his extensive experience to guide the team in future competitions.

From October 19 to 24, 2024, Cricket Kenya hosted the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier B in Nairobi. The tournament featured five African teams—Mozambique, Rwanda, Gambia, Zimbabwe, and Seychelles—who joined Kenya in this crucial pathway event. This qualifier served as a stepping stone for teams vying for a spot in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Kenya showcased a strong performance throughout the Sub-Regional Qualifier B, securing victories that allowed them to advance alongside Zimbabwe to the next stage. Both teams earned places in the Regional Qualifier, bringing them closer to their goal of competing on the global stage in 2026.

As of April 2025, the Kenya Under-19 cricket team is participating in the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier, aiming for a spot in the 2026 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. The tournament features several African nations competing for the sole qualification spot.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In their recent matches, Kenya showcased a mix of performances. They secured a dominant victory against Uganda, bowling them out for just 69 runs, thanks to a formidable pace attack led by Neel Doshi and Antony Ndungu. However, their batting lineup faltered against Tanzania, managing only 60 runs in response to a modest target of 115, putting their qualification hopes in jeopardy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Tournament history

World Cup

World Cup record
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
Template:Flagicon 1975	See East Africa cricket team
Template:Flagicon 1979
Template:Flagicon 1983	Did not qualify
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 1987
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 1992
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 1996	Group Stage	10/12	5	1	4	0	0
Template:Flagicon 1999		11/12	5	0	5	0	0
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2003	Semi-Finals	3/14	10	5	5	0	0
Template:Flagicon 2007	Group Stage	11/16	3	1	2	0	0
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2011		14/14	6	0	6	0	0
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2015	Did not qualify
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2019
Template:Flagicon 2023
Total		5/12	29	7	22	0	0

ICC World Twenty20

World Twenty20 record
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
Template:Flagicon 2007	Group Stage	12/12	2	0	2	0	0
Template:Flagicon 2009	Did not qualify
Template:Flagicon 2010
Template:Flagicon 2012
Template:Flagicon 2014
Template:Flagicon 2016
Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagicon 2021
Template:Flagicon 2022
Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagicon 2024
Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagicon 2026
Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagicon 2028	TBD
Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2030
Total		1/12	2	0	2	0	0

T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final

T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final record
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
Template:Flagicon 2019	Runners-up (A)	1/6	5	3	0	0	2
Template:Flagicon 2021	Runners-up	2/4	6	4	2	0	0
Template:Flagicon 2023	Round-robin	4/7	6	3	3	0	0
Template:Flagicon 2025	Round-robin	3/8	5	3	2	0	0
Total	4/4	0 Title	22	13	7	0	2

• A – Advanced to Global Qualifier.
• Q – Qualified for T20 World Cup.

ICC Champions Trophy

ICC Champions Trophy record
Year	Round	Position	GP	Won	Lost	Tie	N/R
Template:Flagicon 1998	did not qualify
Template:Flagicon 2000	Playoff stage	11th	1	0	1	0	0
Template:Flagicon 2002	Group stage	10th	2	0	2	0	0
Template:Flagicon 2004			2	0	2	0	0
Template:Flagicon 2006	Did not qualify
Template:Flagicon 2009
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2013
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2017
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2025
Total	—	3/8	5	0	5	0	0

Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games record
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
Template:Flagicon 1998	Group stage	11/16	3	1	2	0	0
Total	0 titles	1/1	3	1	2	0	0

African Games

African Games record
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
Template:Flagicon 2023	Knockout stage	4/8	5	2	3	0	0
Total	0 titles	1/1	5	2	3	0	0

ACA Africa T20 Cup

ACA Cup T20 record
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
Template:Flagicon 2022	Semi-finals	4/8	4	2	2	0	0
Template:Flagicon 2023	Runners-up	2/8	5	4	1	0	0
Total	0 titles	2/2	9	6	3	0	0

Other tournaments

Cricket World Cup Challenge League (List A)	ICC Trophy/CWC Qualifier (ODI)	T20 World Cup Qualifier (T20I)	T20WC Africa Sub-regional Qualifiers (T20I)
2019–22 (League B): 4th place — Remained 2024–26 (League A): TBD	1979: as part of East Africa<ref name="ICC79"/> 1982: 7th place<ref name="ICC82"/> 1986: 10th place<ref name="ICC86"/> 1990: Semi-finals<ref name="ICC90"/> 1994: Runners-up<ref name="ICC94"/> 1997: Runners-up<ref name="ICC97"/> 2001: Did not participate 2005: Did not participate 2009: 4th place 2014: 5th place 2018: Did not qualify 2023: Did not qualify	2008: 4th place 2010: 5th place 2012: 9th place 2013: 11th place 2015: 9th place 2019: 11th place 2022: Did not qualify	2018 (East): Winners — Advanced 2021: Did not participate 2022: Winners — Advanced 2024: Runners-up — Advanced

World Cricket League (List A/ODI)	Intercontinental Cup	ICC 6 Nations Challenge
2007 (Division One) : Winners<ref name="WCLD107" /> 2010 (Division One) : 6th place<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 2011–13 WCLC : 6th place 2015 (Division Two) : 3rd place 2015–17 WCLC : 5th place 2018 (Division Two) : 6th place<ref name="resign">Template:Cite web</ref> 2018 (Division Three) : 4th place	2004 : Semi-finals<ref name="KenScoSF" /> 2005 : Runners<ref name="IreKenF" /> 2006–07 : Group stage 2007–08 : 3rd place 2009–10 : 5th place 2011–13 : 7th place<ref>2006 ICC Intercontinental Cup Template:Webarchive at CricketEurope</ref> 2015–17 : Did not qualify	2000 : Won<ref name="6N00" /> 2002 : Won<ref name="KenSLAF" /> 2004 : Did not participate<ref>2004 ICC 6 Nations Challenge Template:Webarchive at CricketEurope</ref>

Coaching history

• 1990–1996: Template:Flagicon Hanumant Singh
• 1996–2003: Template:Flagicon Sandeep Patil
• 2003–2004: Template:Flagicon Andy Moles
• 2004–2005: Template:Flagicon Mudassar Nazar
• 2005–2006: Template:Flagicon Alfred Njuguna (interim)
• 2006–2007: Template:Flagicon Roger Harper
• 2007–2008: Template:Flagicon Alfred Njuguna (interim)
• 2008–2009: Template:Flagicon Andy Kirsten
• 2009–2011: Template:Flagicon Eldine Baptiste
• 2011–2012: Template:Flagicon Mike Hesson
• 2012–2013: Template:Flagicon Robin Brown
• 2013–2014: Template:Flagicon Steve Tikolo
• 2015–2018: Template:Flagicon Thomas Odoyo
• 2018–2021: Template:Flagicon Maurice Odumbe
• 2021–2023: Template:Flagicon David Obuya
• 2023 -2024: Template:Flagicon Dodda ganesh
• 2023–present: Template:FlagiconJoseph Angara (Assistant Coach)  
• 2023–present :Template:Flagicon Lameck Onyango (Head coach)

Records

International match summary – Kenya<ref name="ODI">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="T20I">Template:Cite web</ref>

Last updated 4 October 2025

Playing record
Format	M	W	L	T	NR	Inaugural match
One Day Internationals	154	42	107	0	5	18 February 1996
Twenty20 Internationals	121	65	53	0	3	1 September 2007

One Day Internationals

• Highest team total: 347/3 v Bangladesh, 10 October 1997 at Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Highest individual score: 144, Kennedy Otieno v Bangladesh, 10 October 1997 at Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Best individual bowling figures: 5/24, Collins Obuya v Sri Lanka, 24 February 2003 at Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Most ODI runs for Kenya<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Player	Runs	Average	Career span
Steve Tikolo	3369	29.55	1996–2014
Thomas Odoyo	2366	23.19	1996–2014
Collins Obuya	2044	25.55	2001–2014
Kennedy Otieno	2016	23.44	1996–2009
Ravindu Shah	1506	27.88	1998–2007

Most ODI wickets for Kenya<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Player	Wickets	Average	Career span
Thomas Odoyo	141	29.63	1996–2014
Steve Tikolo	93	33.40	1996–2014
Peter Ongondo	75	30.86	1999–2011
Nehemiah Odhiambo	70	36.92	2006–2014
Hiren Varaiya	68	30.11	2006–2014

Highest individual innings in ODI<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Player	Score	Opposition	Venue	Year
Kennedy Otieno	144	Template:Cr	Nairobi (Gymkhana)	1997
Dipak Chudasama	122	Template:Cr	Nairobi (Gymkhana)	1997
Kennedy Otieno	120	Template:Cr	Dhaka	1999
Ravindu Shah	113	Template:Cr	Mombasa	2007
Irfan Karim	106	Template:Cr	Dubai	2013

Best bowling figures in an innings in ODI<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Player	Score	Opposition	Venue	Year
Collins Obuya	5/24	Template:Cr	Nairobi (Gymkhana)	2003
Aasif Karim	5/33	Template:Cr	Nairobi (Gymkhana)	1997
Peter Ongondo	5/51	Template:Cr	Nairobi (Jaffery)	2018
Peter Ongondo	4/14	Template:Cr	Harare	2006
Martin Suji	4/24	Template:Cr	Nairobi (Aga Khan)	1997

ODI record versus other nations<ref name="ODI"/>

Records complete to ODI #3529. Last updated 3 October 2014.

Opponent	M	W	L	T	NR	First match	First win
vs Test nations
Template:Cr	6	2	4	0	0	5 July 2010	7 October 2010
Template:Cr	5	0	5	0	0	23 February 1996
Template:Cr	14	6	8	0	0	10 October 1997	10 October 1997
Template:Cr	2	0	2	0	0	18 May 1999
Template:Cr	13	2	11	0	0	18 February 1996	28 May 1998
Template:Cr	10	2	7	0	1	2 February 2007	2 February 2007
Template:Cr	2	0	2	0	0	21 February 2003
Template:Cr	6	0	6	0	0	2 October 1996
Template:Cr	10	0	10	0	0	3 October 1996
Template:Cr	6	1	5	0	0	6 March 1996	24 February 2003
Template:Cr	6	1	5	0	0	29 February 1996	29 February 1996
Template:Cr	32	5	25	0	2	26 February 1996	12 March 2003
vs Associate members
Template:Cr	8	8	0	0	0	11 November 2006	11 November 2006
Template:Cr	15	9	5	0	1	15 February 2003	15 February 2003
Template:Cr	10	3	7	0	0	31 January 2007	31 January 2007
Template:Cr	9	3	5	0	1	17 January 2007	17 January 2007

Twenty20 Internationals

• Highest team total: 237/5 v Lesotho, 21 November 2022 at IPRC Cricket Ground, Kigali<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Highest individual score: 120, Rakep Patel v Mozambique, 19 October 2024 at Ruaraka Sports Club Ground, Nairobi<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Best individual bowling figures: 6/17, Peter Langat v Mali, 20 November 2022 at Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, Kigali<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Most T20I runs for Kenya<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Player	Runs	Average	Career span
Rakep Patel	1,930	30.15	2008–2025
Collins Obuya	1,742	30.03	2007–2024
Irfan Karim	1,291	34.89	2013–2024
Rushab Patel	1,054	23.95	2019–2024
Alex Obanda	797	18.53	2007–2023

Most T20I wickets for Kenya<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Player	Wickets	Average	Career span
Shem Ngoche	120	17.01	2010–2025
Vraj Patel	86	14.15	2021–2025
Lucas Oluoch	70	19.57	2013–2025
Peter Langat	42	18.54	2021–2025
Rakep Patel	38	16.05	2008–2025

T20I record versus other nations<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Opponent	M	W	L	T	NR	First match	First win
vs Test nations
Template:Cr	3	1	2	0	0	30 September 2013	11 October 2013
Template:Cr	1	0	1	0	0	1 September 2007
Template:Cr	5	0	5	0	0	4 August 2008
Template:Cr	1	0	1	0	0	12 September 2007
Template:Cr	1	0	1	0	0	4 September 2007
Template:Cr	1	0	1	0	0	14 September 2007
Template:Cr	3	0	3	0	0	30 November 2023
vs Associate Members
Template:Cr	1	1	0	0	0	21 October 2019	21 October 2019
Template:Cr	5	4	1	0	0	24 November 2022	24 November 2022
Template:Cr	2	2	0	0	0	19 September 2022	19 September 2022
Template:Cr	5	4	1	0	0	3 August 2008	3 August 2008
Template:Cr	1	1	0	0	0	22 October 2024	22 October 2024
Template:Cr	3	3	0	0	0	21 May 2019	21 May 2019
Template:Cr	1	1	0	0	0	21 November 2022	21 November 2022
Template:Cr	6	4	1	0	1	16 September 2022	16 September 2022
Template:Cr	2	2	0	0	0	20 November 2022	20 November 2022
Template:Cr	1	1	0	0	0	19 October 2024	19 October 2024
Template:Cr	3	0	3	0	0	25 October 2019
Template:Cr	5	2	3	0	0	25 August 2022	26 August 2022
Template:Cr	6	2	4	0	0	2 August 2008	19 April 2013
Template:Cr	15	12	3	0	0	20 May 2019	20 May 2019
Template:Cr	1	0	1	0	0	27 October 2019
Template:Cr	9	9	0	0	0	20 November 2022	20 November 2022
Template:Cr	1	0	0	0	1	17 November 2022
Template:Cr	8	3	5	0	0	4 August 2008	1 February 2010
Template:Cr	3	3	0	0	0	25 November 2022	25 November 2022
Template:Cr	2	2	0	0	0	7 December 2023	7 December 2023
Template:Cr	1	1	0	0	0	23 October 2019	23 October 2019
Template:Cr	5	3	2	0	0	17 November 2021	18 November 2021
Template:Cr	18	4	13	0	1	22 May 2019	22 May 2019
Template:Cr	2	0	2	0	0	18 July 2025

Records complete to T20I #3501. Last updated 4 October 2025.

Notes

Template:Note Excluding appearances in the 1975 Cricket World Cup and the 1979 ICC Trophy as part of East Africa.

See also

• Kenyan women's cricket team
• Cricket Kenya
• National Elite League Twenty20
• List of Kenyan ODI cricketers
• List of Kenyan Twenty20 International cricketers
• List of Kenyan first-class cricketers
• Kenyan national cricket captains
• Cricket in Kenya

External links

• Official site
• Template:Instagram
• Template:Twitter
• Template:Facebook
• Kenya Cricket blog
• Kenya Cricket Results
• Kenya Cricket Results
• Kenyanstar