A cautious half-century from middle-order batsman Zameer Zahir kept Canada alive but Kenya finished in the driver's seat after the second day's play in Toronto. Though there were contributions from Sandeep Jyoti (39), Khurram Chohan (31) and Umar Bhatti (30), the failure of the batsmen to convert their starts left the hosts with a lot of work to do to save the match. With wickets falling at regular intervals, Canada were bowled out for 234 not long before the close, and the Kenyan openers then added 12 before stumps. A lead of 95 thus ensured the visitors remained very much in control of the match.
Zahir showed great patience and solid defence as he compiled 57 off 131 balls, comprising seven fours and two sixes. He had brought up his 50 with a towering six, but just as he looked set for a big score, he was run out by Alex Obanda. Nehemiah Odhiambo picked up three wickets for Kenya and the hero of the first day, Steve Tikolo and Hiren Varaiya, gave him good support picking up two wickets apiece. Following up from his 158 in the first innings, Tikolo bowled seven maidens in his 13 overs and picked up the key wickets of Abdool Samad and Ashish Bagai, as Kenya looked to tighten the stranglehold.
While Kenya look to bat Canada out of the match on the third day, the home side will be calling on the likes of Henry Osinde, Bhatti and Chohan to take the wickets that might give their batsmen a realistic fourth-innings target.