Maqonda Ndlovu

Namibia’s senior women’s cricket team have taken a 3-1 lead against the United Arab Emirates team in the ongoing International T20 Series in Dubai.

The Eagles lost their opening match by 19 runs on Tuesday, 26 September, before bouncing back and winning the second match by nine wickets on Wednesday, 27 September.

On Friday, 29 September, the two teams met again in the third match of the series, with Namibia winning the toss and electing to bowl.

Woman of the Match Juriene Diergaardt took three wickets for 12 runs in her four overs (3/12) to restrict the host to 71 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their 20 overs (71/8).

Captain Irene Van Zyl chipped in with two wickets for 14 runs, with Victoria Hamunyela and Wilka Mwatile taking one apiece.

In response, Namibian batters took the UAE bowlers to the swords, with the opener hitting 43 runs off 24 balls while Diergaardt scored five runs off 15 balls. Mwatile and Mezerly !Gorases finished off the job, scoring 18 runs from 11 balls and four runs from two balls to lead Namibia to the third victory in only 8.4 overs and take a 2-1 series lead. On Saturday, 30 September, UAE women won the toss and elected to bowl. Khan once again laid the foundation for the Eagles to dominate with another solid 29 runs from 31 balls while her opening partner could only manage two runs from 11 balls. !Gorases and Sylvia Shihepo scored 20 and 25 not out respectively, as Namibia scored 98/5.

The Eagles bowling arsenal restricted the UAE to 91/9 in 20 overs as Namibia claimed a 3-1 lead in the series via a seven-run victory.

Hamunyela took 2/14 in a Woman of the Match performance, while Diergaardt, Van Zyl, and Kayleen-Ann Green each chipped in with one wicket apiece.

The final two matches will take place tomorrow and Tuesday, 3 October 2023.