Tikolo set to quit Kenya captaincy

Steve Tikolo said he intended to resign as Kenya captain following his side's seven-wicket defeat against Pakistan at Edgbaston.

Steve Tikolo said he intended to resign as Kenya captain following his side's seven-wicket defeat against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

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Kenya, who under Tikolo's leadership were semi-finalists at last year's World Cup in South Africa, were bowled out for just 94 and this defeat meant they had lost both their Pool matches after a 98-run defeat against India on Saturday.

Up until the match against India, Kenya had not played a one-day international for 18 months and after Wednesday's reverse Tikolo said the team were not due to play one of cricket's leading nations again until the 2006 Champions Trophy.

"I spoke to the selectors back at home and they said we'll let the case rest until I get back home," Tikolo told reporters at Edgbaston after Wednesday's match.

"But I feel it is time for me to move on and probably just be in the team as a player and someobody else takes up the mantle of leading the team," the 33-year-old batsman added.

"I think there are other capabale who are capable of stepping into the captain's shoes. I'll be around. I'm totally retiring from cricket. I'm still around. Immediately we get back home I'll have another meeting with the selectors again."

But asked if that was it as far as the captaincy was concerned, Tikolo replied "Yeah".

However, Kenya coach Andy Moles - who spent 12 years at Edgbaston as a batsman for Warwickshire - as well as the selectors could make a last-ditch effort to persuade Tikolo to stay on.

Kenya's next match is an Inter-Continental Cup match, a four-day competition for teams outside te elite Test nations, in October against Namibia.

If they win that they qualify for the semi-finals in Sharjah.

But a downcast Tikolo added: "With the scenario we have in Kenya, with a lack of games, we can't feel optimistic anymore."