The United Arab Emirates have started their World Cricket League Championship campaign today with a relatively easy five wicket win over Kenya at the Rose Bowl nursery ground in Southampton, England.

UAE captain Mohammad Tauqir won the toss and chose to put the Kenyans into bat first. Kenya struggled at first, with Collins Obuya the only top order batsman to make any sort of significant contribution, scoring 36 before he was the fifth man out.

With the score at that point on 70, Kenya were looking well out of it. But a partnership of 65 between Nelson and Nehemiah Odhiambo got them back on track. The latter scored 62 before he was the ninth man out.

The final total for the Kenyans was 171. Mohammad Naveed was the pick of the UAE bowlers with 4-36.

The UAE, starting a new era with out long time talisman Khurram Khan, showed that they weren't missing him too much with a relatively simple run chase. They did lose five wickets, but were never really in trouble, chasing down their target in 41.4 overs. Amjad Ali was the UAE top scorer with 49.

The sides will meet again at the same venue on Saturday.

UAE beat Kenya by 5 wickets
Rose Bowl Nursery Ground, Southampton, 25 June
Kenya 171 (40.5 overs, NN Odhiambo 62, C Obuya 36, Mohammad Naveed 4-36, M Guruge 3-29)
UAE 173-5 (41.4 overs, Amjad Ali 49, S Patil 38)