It was an even morning's cricket once play did get underway. Kenya won the toss and chose to bat, but it was Canada who grabbed the early initiative. Henry Osinde and Umar Bhatti combined for a strong opening spell that left the Kenyan openers reaching for the ball. David Obuya was first to go, trapped leg before wicket by Bhatti for just 2 runs. Seren Waters never looked comfortable, playing tentaively and facing 39 balls while making 10 runs before edging Osinde to Rizwan Cheema at slip. After 10.3 overs Kenya were 27 for 2.

Around the same time, though, it seemed the bit of moisture that was in the pitch burned off and the new batsmen were able to play more aggressively and score runs. It was looking as though the decision to bat was indeed a good one, as Alex Obanda and Steve Tikolo built a strong partnership. The seamers were frustrated, but an inspired bowling change by Canadian skipper Ashish Bagai saw Obanda removed along with his off stump by Zameer Zahir's first delivery of the match.

Tikolo was then joined by Morris Ouma and the pair batted safely until lunch, going through the hundred mark in the final over before the interval and ending up on 105 for 3 from 26 overs. The pair picked up where they left off after the break, as the pitch got flatter and the decision to bat first was justified. They played shots all around the ground, with Tikolo especially exploiting the width that some Canadian bowlers were offering. He made his 50 and batted on quickly to reach a century in just 106 balls, including 19 boundaries.

A frustrated Canadian attack was finally boosted after the drinks break when Sunil Dhaniram trapped captain Morris Ouma in front for 28 to break a 116 run fourth wicket partnership. Dhaniram struck again when he saw Collins Obuya caught by Umar Bhatti for just 7 runs. Tikolo remained throughout the session - a statement performance from a man who has been left out of the side on recent occasions - and Thomas Odoyo joined him to guide Kenya to 237 for 5 from 60 overs at teatime.

Khurram Chohan struck shortly after tea, removing Odoyo leg before wicket for 19 runs. James Kamande provided another good partner for Tikolo, making 26 runs before top-edging an Amarbir Hansra delivery to Rizwan Cheema. Tikolo was finally gone after an Osinde delivery with a new ball seamed away and took his edge through to the keeper. However, his 158, made off 194 balls included 22 boundaries and powered Kenya to a final total of 317 all out from 86.1 overs.

Osinde was the top Canadian bowler, taking 3 wickets for 28 runs in 12.1 overs of bowling. Sunil Dhaniram took 2 for 42 from 12 overs, and Bhatti, Chohan, Zaheer, Hansra, and Cheema each grabbed a wicket apiece. The Kenyan innings ended with around half an hour's play remaining, and so Canada had to face a frightening 6 over spell under the setting sun.

Thomas Odoyo struck quickly with the new ball. The first ball seemed to trap Hansra leg before, but the appeal was somehow turned down by the umpire. Not bothered, the second ball seamed away and was edged into Tikolo's hands at second slip. Canada were one down without bothering the scorers.

Rizwan Cheema went as well, sending an easy catch to Odoyo at cover off an Odhiambo delivery, and Canada limped home at 14 for 2 from 6 overs. This sets up an interesting day tomorrow, with Canada needing to bat well in the opening session to give them a chance to catch Kenya's first innings total. The weather is set fair for the whole weekend, so this promises to be an exciting match.