Kenya kicked off its campaign with a comprehensive 133-run win over Vanuatu in a game curtailed to 38 overs a side at the Merrion Cricket Club. Batting first, Kenya posted 235 for four in 38 overs. Skipper Kennedy Ochieng led from the front with an unbeaten 85 off 114 balls with seven hits to the fence. Handy knocks by Duncan Allan (47) and Irfan Karim's 54 (81 balls, 6x4, 2x6) helped Kenya's charge.

Allan then followed up his batting with three catches and a spell of 2-17. Rahul Vishram with 4 for 9 was the best bowler on view.

Man of the Match Allan was happy with the confident start by his side. "It was a really good start for the guys. It was a comprehensive win. I liked the way I played because I upped the ante at the right time. I was disappointed that I did not make a few more. It was a good confident way to start the competition for us."

Namibia got off its campaign on to a winning start with a 89-run win over Papua New Guinea at the Hills Cricket Club. Namibia was bowled out for 232 in 49 overs. Justin Baard (49), skipper Stephen Baard (44), Zhivago Groenwald (44) played crucial knocks for Namibia.

Groenwald (3-16) then combined well with Christopher Coome (3-26) to bowl out Papua New Guinea for 143 in 40.3 overs. Groenwald's all-round performance fetched him the Man of the Match award.

Groenwald reckoned that his knock came in at the right time: "It was a good knock because a bit of momentum was needed in the middle. I consider myself an all-rounder, so it was important for me to back up the lead bowlers. I am glad that my contribution helped the side kick off the campaign well."