Hosts face uphill task

---

NAIROBI : India A's Irfan Pathan (left) is run out by Kenya's Morris Ouma during their one-day triangular cricket series at the Nairobi Gymkhana here Saturday. — Internet Photo

Promising youngster Cheteshwar Pujara top scored with 67, while Praveen Kumar and captain Mohammad Kaif helped themselves to half-centuries, as India A posted an imposing total of 280 in 46 overs in a rain-curtailed one-dayer against Kenya in Nairobi.
Kumar, who'd blitzed an unbeaten 27-ball 57 in the previous game against Kenya, seemed to have picked up the thread from there, slamming the second delivery he faced back over the bowler's head and into the sightscreen. The early loss of Parthiv Patel did not deter Kumar as he hit 29 off Elijah Otieno's first two overs to see India shoot off at nearly eight an over.
With India at 106 for 1 in 16 overs the stage was set for a mammoth total but Kenya struck two quick blows as Kumar was run out and Yusuf Pathan fell to medium-pacer Nehemiah Odhiambo. The brakes were put on and the next seven overs produced 18 runs. Kaif was dismissed for a sedate 51 after he missed a delivery from Onyango to be trapped in front.
A 54-run partnership between Pujara and Subramaniam Badrinath steadied the ship and saw India reach 190 with eight overs remaining, before Badrinath holed out to Alex Obanda. With India looking for quick runs, Pujara stepped on the accelerator and his last 37 came off just 22 balls. Irfan Pathan provided the late fireworks as he hit four sixes and two fours on his way to a 24-ball 48 to push India's score beyond 275.
Medium-pacer Lameck Onyango was Kenya's most impressive bowler as he sent down four maidens to keep the Indian total in check; he did not, however, get much support from the rest of the attack. -Cricinfo.