Cricket: Upstarts Kenya in Super Sixes.

KENYA became the first non-Test playing nation to qualify for the World Cup Super Sixes by beating Bangladesh by 32 runs in Johannesburg yesterday.

All-rounder Maurice Odumbe rescued the Kenyan innings of 217 for six - when 200 looked an impossible total - with a quick 52 not out off 46 balls and took four for 23 in his 10 overs in Bangladesh's 185 in 47.2 overs.

Kenya have 16 points, four of which were forfeited by New Zealand after the latter refused to play their match in Nairobi, and guarantees a Super Sixes slot even if they lose to the West Indies in Kimberley on Tuesday.

Tushar Imran scored 48 from 81 balls but, when number six Akram Khan was out for 46 off 60 deliveries at 180 for nine, any chance of Bangladesh snatching a dramatic win went with him. Steve Tikolo, the Kenya captain, took three for 14 in his 5.2 overs to help wrap up the tail.

Earlier, Kenya had incon-sistent opener Kennedy Otieno dismissed off the third ball of the match, edging Manjural Islam to wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud.

Odumbe then smashed four boundaries in 52 off 46 balls for his ninth one-day international half-century.

Brijal Patel (32) steadied the innings and shared a stand of 67 and Shah, with 32, assisted before the run-rate dropped to a trickle as Bangladesh tightened the screws until Odumbe arrived on the crease.

Tikolo helped with 27 off 45 balls but was bowled by Sanwar Hossain as he tried to sweep the right-arm spinner, leaving Kenya 116 for four in the 32nd over.