Zimbabwe hold off gutsy Namibia in thriller to open account in tri-series

Zimbabwe finally opened their account in the ongoing tri-series in Namibia, beating the hosts by five runs in a thrilling fixture on Monday, August 31, at Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek. After being put in to bat first, Zimbabwe posted a mammoth score of 195/6 in their allotted 20 overs as Ryan Burl (57* off 32) slammed a brilliant half-century, while Ben Curran (38 off 22) and Brian Bennet (32 off 21) also made crucial contributions.

Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus (3/46) scalped three wickets for his team, while JJ Smit (1/27, 2 overs), Max Heingo (1/25) and Bernard Scholtz (1/27, 3 overs) scalped one wicket each. In reply, Namibia came close to overhauling the target, courtesy of splendid half-centuries from Zane Green (54 off 26) and Alexander Volschenk (56 off 29).

The duo kept their team in the hunt, despite a poor start which saw Namibia being reduced to 76/6 in 11.1 overs. Seeing their team in disarray, Green and Volschenk stitched a massive 109-run stand off 49 deliveries for the seventh wicket, giving a major scare to Zimbabwe.

With 16 runs needed off the last over, Brad Evans didn’t have a great start to the over, bowling a no-ball on the first delivery, and later conceded a couple on the first legal delivery, bringing the equation down to 10 needed off the last five balls. However, Evans held his nerve as Zimbabwe got four wickets in the last five balls, including two run-outs, to bundle out Namibia for 190 in their 20 overs. 

Brad Evans adjudged Player of the Match

Evans emerged as the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets (3/41), while Brian Bennett (2/8) also chipped in with two wickets. Meanwhile, despite their win, Zimbabwe continued to be reeling at the bottom with two points from as many matches.

Brad Evans was deservedly adjudged Player of the Match for his stunning all-round show as he first scored a quick-fire 37* (25), before taking a three-wicket haul. Meanwhile, the narrow victory couldn’t help Zimbabwe improve on the net run rate (-1.505), which was massively affected by a crushing seven-wicket defeat within 13.4 overs against South Africa.

As a result, they maintained last spot on the points table, while Namibia were second and South Africa at the top.