Kenya loses host rights for cricket qualifier to South Africa

Nairobi, Sep 22 (Cricketnmore) Political uncertainty in Kenya has forced the International Cricket Council (ICC) to reschedule the World Cricket League Championship qualifying match between leaders Netherlands and Kenya to South Africa.

Nairobi was to host the sixth round match from Oct. 6-8 but with repeat presidential elections still standing in the way, the global cricket body cannot risk sending foreign players to Kenya for security reasons. Now the match will be staged in East London in South Africa on the same dates, reports Xinhua news agency.

Kenya, which held its general elections on Aug. 8, had the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land annulled the Presidential Poll results and a new date has been set for Oct. 26. There is tension in the country and ICC is not ready to gamble with the safety of its players.

"The Netherlands Cricket Board seems to have raised the issue with the International Cricket Council (ICC), which have informed us that the game will now be played at the Buffalo Park cricket stadium in East London in South Africa," Cricket Kenya said in a statement.

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