Maqonda Ndlovu
Namibia inched closer to qualifying for the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier 2023, following a six-wicket victory over Kenya yesterday at United Cricket Grounds.
Namibia won the toss and decided to bowl first, restricting Kenya to 104 runs for the loss of six wickets (104/6) in their allocated 20 overs.
Kenya’s wicketkeeper Karim Irfan had 43 runs from 47 deliveries, while Bhudia Sachin and Collins Obuya scored 18 and 15, respectively, with the rest of the batters failing to reach double figures.
Namibia’s response was unconvincing, with the openers Michael van Lingen and Nikolaas Davin not as explosive as they have been throughout this tournament.
Davin could manage only 19 runs from 17 balls, while van Lingen knocked five from five.
Captain Gerhard Erasmus was sent packing with three runs from nine deliveries, while Nicole Loftie-Eton could manage only two runs from six balls. Jan Frylinck smashed 57 runs from 41 balls and steered the Eagles to victory with the help of vice captain JJ Smit, who contributed a controlled 14 runs from 14 balls to lead Namibia to victory.
Namibia has a 100% win record at the qualifiers after four matches, amassing eight points and a healthy run rate of 2.5885.
In second place is Kenya, with six points from four matches and a net run rate of 0.4806, while Zimbabwe moved to the third spot, following their 144-run victory over Rwanda at Wanderers Cricket Fields yesterday.
Co-favourites Zimbabwe’s net run rate is 2.2759, having won two of their four matches, leaving themselves in danger of failing to qualify.
Uganda occupies fourth place but can reclaim the third spot from Zimbabwe if they win their match against fifth-placed Nigeria, which took place yesterday afternoon.
In the event that Nigeria wins, they will leapfrog both Zimbabwe and Uganda to move to third place.
Rwanda is sixth with a single point, while Tanzania anchors the log without any points after four matches.
Namibia will play Tanzania today at Wanderers before concluding the tournament with a match against Nigeria on Thursday at Wanderers Cricket Grounds.
Namibia won against Zimbabwe by seven wickets on the opening day, followed by a six-wicket victory over Uganda in the second match, before accounting for Rwanda by 68 runs via the DSL method in game three.
The fourth victory puts Namibia in the driving seat for qualification to the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States of America and the West Indies.