Captain Dhiren Gondaria has extolled the red-hot form of wicket-keeper batsman Irfan Karim as Kenya prepares for a pivotal double-header weekend in the ICC Challenge League.Kenya, fresh from a commanding 103-run thrashing of Denmark at the Nairobi Gymkhana, face Qatar on Saturday, 24 at 9:00 AM at the Ruaraka Sports Club Ground, before taking on Jersey on Sunday, 25 at 9:00 AM at the Nairobi Gymkhana.Download our MozzartSport App For More NewsKanbis A stalwart in the Nairobi County Cricket Association (NCCA) league, Gondaria, brought calm leadership to a side blending youth and experience. For him, this weekend is not just about two wins but about sustaining the positive brand of cricket that overwhelmed Denmark.In Wednesday's win over Denmark, Karim produced a Man-of-the-Match performance with a masterful 106 off 115 balls, laced with 9 fours, to anchor Kenya to 324 for 7. Denmark were then bundled out for 221 in 44.1 overs.Gondaria was effusive in his praise for his star man.Big shame as world marathon champion joins growing list of suspended athletes"Our plan is to play positive cricket, and Karim's form is what we will be banking on in the coming games. I am really happy for him and the other guys who scored half centuries, Sachin Gill, Rakep Patel and Shubham Patel," said Gondaria.For Gondaria, Karim's hundred was more than runs on the board. It was a statement of intent. Karim's ability to bat through the innings, allowed the middle order of Gill, Rakep and Shubham to play with freedom, as all three chipped in with half-centuries against Denmark.Kenya will need that same template against Qatar and Jersey, two disciplined sides who rarely give away free runs.##NAJAVA_MECA_10055699##Gondaria will lean heavily on his experienced core. The squad boasts proven match-winners including veteran Shem Ngoche, Kanbis mainstay Rakep who remains Kenya's batting anchor, and the Swamibapa A duo of Peter Koech and Gill who bring all-round balance.With Karim behind the stumps and in sublime touch with the bat, and Gondaria marshalling his troops from the front, Kenya head to Ruaraka on Saturday and back to the Gymkhana on Sunday believing back-to-back wins are within reach.Meanwhile, Kenya team star Sukhdeep Singh, who captains Sikh Union A in the NCCA League, is brimming with confidence.Kenya Police FC: Inside the revolving coaching door since 2021 Premier League promotion"Happy to play in this competition, it’s challenge league and we must win the matches to stay in the same group of challenge league. Top two qualify, then third and fourth stay in the same group whilst the fifth and sixth will be relegated. We are confident as a team and are looking forward to the challenge. We are happy how we’ve been playing for a couple of months and are ready," Sukhdeep said.FIXTURESSat, 24 October – Qatar vs Kenya – Ruaraka Sports Club – 9:00 AMSun, 25 October – Kenya vs. Jersey – Nairobi Gymkhana – 9:00 AM
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