What next for Kenya after relegation from Cricket World Cup Challenge League?

NAIROBI, Kenya, November 2, 2026 – Cricket Kenya (CK) Bhavesh Gohil says the national team will have to up their performance after a disappointing outing at the Cricket World Cup Challenge League A tournament in Nairobi. Gohil said the technical bench and playing unit will have to pull up their socks, especially considering the federation have made leaps towards bettering their welfare. “To be very honest about the coaches, they need to up their game. We’ve had back-to-back tournaments just in two months. We’ve not been practicing that seriously. We’ve not had outside tours…I am not saying that the coaches have done a good or bad job. We need them to up their game,” the chair said. He further revealed that CK have embarked on righting the wrongs of the past, particularly by remunerating the coaches and players in addition to offering contracts to all of them. “Maybe previously they would say that (citing lack of remuneration as reason for poor performance) but Cricket Kenya is now paying coaches and players. So, we need them to up their game or else, you never, there might be changes,” Gohil warned. Kenya’s Cricket World Cup hopes were dashed to dust after they finished bottom of the six-team tournament. This, despite defeating Papua New Guinea by 88 runs in their final match at the Nairobi Gymkhana on Saturday afternoon, closing their lowly campaign on a high. Despite the disappointment, Gohil said the federation will not rush into any rash decisions against the team, noting that there was a lot of good amid the the defeats. “They’re doing their best…we’ll have a word with the technical team, with the managers even. Up and till when I get a report that is when I will be able to know whether to make a review of the squad. After every tournament, there’s a report to be made by the technical team and the team managers,” the chair said. He added: “We won a tournament (in Rwanda) without much practice, equipment or specialised training. It was a T20 tournament and when it comes to the 50 overs, it is obviously a different ball game. We have been relegated, yes but we’ll come up strong. Let’s give them time to breathe.” The tournament was initially scheduled for Qatar but for the Middle East conflict, which earned Kenya the prestigious right as alternative hosts. Gohil described the privilege as a huge win for Kenya and expressed the country’s desire to host more of the same. Jersey were declared champions after finishing top with 25 points. Alongside Kuwait, they have qualified for the next stage of the World Cup qualifier set for Nepal, later this year, where they meet six other teams in a round-robin tournament. The top four finishers will punch their ticket to next year’s World Cup in Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.