Kenya's senior men's national cricket team.
Kenya’s senior men’s national team, the Simbas, represent the country in international cricket. In 2026, Kenya won five of six matches at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier A, finishing second and securing progression to the 2027 Africa Qualifier on the road to the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The Simbas’ proudest chapter came at the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by Kenya, where the team reached the semi-finals.
The players behind Kenya's most famous days — from the upset of the West Indies in 1996 to the 2003 World Cup semi-final, still the only time a non-Test nation has reached the last four.
Kenya's all-time leading ODI run-scorer, with more than 100 ODI wickets as well. Captained the side to the 2003 World Cup semi-final and top-scored there with 56 against India. Retired from international cricket in 2011.
Player of the Match in the 73-run win over the two-time world champions — a result he said felt like "winning the World Cup". Seven years later he made a half-century in the 2003 win over Bangladesh.
Bowled Kenya to a 53-run win over Sri Lanka at Nairobi Gymkhana — at the time the best figures by an Associate bowler at a World Cup. Player of the Match.
Tied the eventual champions in knots in the Super Six at Kingsmead — at one stage 8–6–2–3. Named Player of the Match even though Australia won.
Took 4/28 against Canada and made 43 in the Super Six win over Zimbabwe in 2003. In 1996 his middle-order partnership with Hitesh Modi carried Kenya to 166 against the West Indies.
Top-scored with 60 off 88 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes) to set up the Sri Lanka upset, then fell in Brett Lee's hat-trick against Australia in the Super Six.
Also remembered: Hitesh Modi (39* v Australia, 2003), Rajab Ali (3/17 v West Indies, 1996), Martin Suji (bowled Richie Richardson, 1996), Ravindu Shah (46 v Australia, 2003) and David Obuya (winning runs v Canada, 2003).
Kenya's landmark days on the international stage, men's senior team.
Defending 166, Kenya bowled out Brian Lara, Richie Richardson and the West Indies for 93 — one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.
A 69-run victory over the hosts carried Kenya into the final of the triangular series, where they met India again at Kolkata on 31 May.
In front of a home crowd at Nairobi Gymkhana, Kenya beat the 1996 world champions — a result Sanath Jayasuriya called the worst game of his career.
Kenya chased 134 in 24 overs to beat Zimbabwe and seal their place in the semi-finals.
Kenya became the first team from outside the Test-playing nations to reach the last four of a World Cup — still the benchmark for Associate cricket.
Five wins from six matches secured progression to the 2027 Africa Qualifier on the road to the 2028 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Sources: The Cricketer — World Cup moments No.39 · Cricket Country — Kenya shock West Indies (1996) · Cricket Country — Sri Lanka felled by Kenya (2003) · Cricket Country — Australia survive Aasif Karim scare · Pulse Sports — Steve Tikolo · ESPN — India v Kenya, Gwalior 1998 · Cricket Kenya (2026 qualifier)
