Namibia showcased a remarkable display of cricket prowess, securing their berth in the ICC T20I World Cup 2024 with an impressive victory over Tanzania by 58 runs in their fifth qualifying match.
Their stellar performance throughout the qualifying tournament, winning all five games consecutively, catapulted them to the summit of the points table, solidifying their position among the top two teams set to compete in the upcoming mega event, slated to unfold in the West Indies and the United States of America.
In their decisive match against Tanzania, Namibia posted a formidable total of 157/6 in 20 overs. JJ Smit’s resilient 40, complemented by contributions from Michael van Lingen (30), Nikolaas Davin (25), and Gerhard Erasmus (21), underscored the team’s balanced batting lineup.
Erasmus, displaying his all-round prowess, also shone with the ball, claiming two crucial wickets to secure victory for Namibia.
The journey to World Cup qualification saw Namibia’s dominance unfold game after game. They initiated their campaign with a convincing 7-wicket triumph over Zimbabwe, setting the tone for their subsequent victories.
Uganda, too, succumbed to Namibia’s cricketing prowess as they fell short by 6 wickets in the following encounter. Rwanda faced a similar fate, succumbing to a 68-run defeat against the relentless Namibian side.
A pivotal moment in Namibia’s quest for World Cup qualification came in their fourth game, where they registered a 6-wicket win over Kenya. This string of victories not only demonstrated Namibia’s cricketing prowess but also positioned them as the team to beat in the upcoming T20I World Cup.
Teams qualified for World Cup 2024:
West Indies, USA, Australia, England, India, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, Canada, Nepal, Oman, Namibia