Marillier hit a maiden ODI century

A maiden one-day century from Doug Marillier and a swashbuckling finale from Heath Streak clinched a five-wicket win for Zimbabwe over Kenya in Sharjah.

Chasing 226 for victory, Zimbabwe looked in dire trouble when skipper Streak came to the crease with 15 balls remaining and 18 runs needed.

But the veteran all-rounder finished proceedings with an over to spare, striking Tony Suji for all of his 14 runs off a single over, concluding with a six over long-off.

Revenge was sweet for Zimbabwe, who were upset by their African neighbours in the Super Six stage of the World Cup last month.

Marillier stood firm through much of the innings, a 130-run partnership for the third wicket with Grant Flower providing the bulk of the runs.

But Zimbabwe struggled to stay with the required pace.

Martin Suji and Thomas Odoyo bowled tight opening spells and leg-spinner Collins Obuya kept the pressure on through the middle of the innings, taking 2-31 in his 10 overs.

SHARJAH CUP TABLE Pak P2 W2 L0 Bns 1 Pts 11 Zim P2 W1 L1 Bns 0 Pts 5 Ken P1 W0 L1 Bns 0 Pts 1 SL P1 W0 L1 Bns 0 Pts 1

Coming into the attack in the 16th over, Obuya struck with his third ball, forcing Craig Wishart into a cut to Kenya captain Steve Tikolo at first slip and three overs later he pouching a return catch from Gavin Rennie.

Tikolo's inspired decision to bring medium-pacer Tony Suji into the attack in the 45th over appeared to have swung the match in Kenya's favour once and for all.

Flower, who passed 6000 career runs on his way to a 36th one-day international half-century, was caught behind off a cut, although he appeared to disapprove of the decision.

And Marillier finally perished looking for another big shot, caught by Brijash Patel at deep mid-on.

The opener had faced 140 deliveries for his ton, striking seven fours and two sixes.

Obuya took two wickets in a tight mid-innings spell

Andy Blighnaut followed for two before Streak joined Sean Ervine to lift the tempo.

Earlier, David Obuya hit a maiden international half-century and Thomas Odoyo added 46 from just 60 deliveries to set Kenya up well.

After winning the toss, skipper Steve Tikolo followed his World Cup 50s against Australia and India with an even-time 37.

Streak, who opted to replace all-rounder Travis Friend with left-arm spinner Ray Price for this match, used eight bowlers in all.

Price repaid his captain's faith with a return of 2-36 from his 10 overs, including the wicket of Obuya, who was caught at long-off looking for a six.

Streak himself kept a tight reign, allowing 28 runs from his 10 overs, for the early wicket of Kennedy Otieno.

Odoyo fell to an excellent one-handed catch by Marillier at short midwicket in the 48th over.

But the East Africans added 24 from the final 15 balls, thanks to Hitesh Modi, who finished 27 not out, and Peter Ongondo's unbeaten 10.

Kenya: SO Tikolo (capt), HS Modi, TM Odoyo, MA Suji, KO Otieno (wkt), CO Obuya, DO Obuya, PJ Ongondo, AO Suji, MO Odumbe, BJ Patel.