NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya ended their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League A home campaign with an 88-run win over Papua New Guinea (PNG) at Nairobi Gymkhana Club on Saturday.

Dhiren Gondaria and Francis Mutua set up the victory with the bat, helping Kenya reach 230 for seven in a rain-reduced 38-over contest. Their bowlers then dismissed PNG for 142 in 30.1 overs.

Gondaria made 68 from 84 deliveries, holding the innings together, while Sachin Gill contributed 35 and Rakep Patel added 26. Mutua provided the late push, hitting an unbeaten 40 from just 29 balls to lift Kenya to a competitive total after PNG had elected to field.

PNG never found the partnerships needed to mount a serious challenge. Former captain Assad Vala made 42 from 40 balls and wicketkeeper Tony Ura scored 30, but neither could turn a promising start into a substantial stand.

Vraj Patel led Kenya’s attack with three wickets for 25 runs as the hosts kept taking wickets and eventually wrapped up the innings for 142.

Mutua’s brisk unbeaten contribution earned him the Player of the Match award.

The win gave Kenya some relief after a difficult run through the Nairobi leg. They had begun with a 103-run victory over Denmark, scoring 324 for seven before dismissing their opponents for 221.

That opening result was followed by a painful four-run loss to Qatar. Chasing 284, Kenya reached 279 but threw away the match in the closing stages, losing five wickets for three runs in just nine balls.

Jersey dealt them another setback, winning by 123 runs after posting 320 for nine. Kuwait then inflicted a 150-run defeat on October 28, making 367 for nine before bowling Kenya out for 217.

Saturday’s performance offered a different finish. Kenya had enough runs on the board and, this time, their bowlers made sure PNG never got close.

The result does not erase the inconsistency that marked the home campaign, but it gives the team something to build on as they look to improve their position in the ICC’s pathway to the Cricket World Cup.