Zimbabwe Edge Namibia by Five Runs After Dramatic Final Over
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Zimbabwe secured a thrilling five-run victory over Namibia on Monday after taking four wickets in the final over of their T20 tri-series encounter in Windhoek.
Zimbabwe posted 195 for six from their 20 overs before Namibia were dismissed for 190 on the final delivery of the innings. Brad Evans played a key role with both bat and ball and was named Player of the Match.
Zimbabwe Set a Strong Target
After being asked to bat first, Zimbabwe made a positive start through Ben Curran and Brian Bennett.
Curran contributed 38 runs, while Bennett scored 32 as Zimbabwe reached a solid position early in the innings. However, the visitors then lost five wickets for just 15 runs during a difficult middle period.
Ryan Burl and Brad Evans changed the momentum with an unbeaten partnership of 94 runs from only 48 deliveries.
Burl finished with 57 not out, while Evans made 37 unbeaten runs, helping Zimbabwe reach 195 for six at the end of their 20 overs.
Namibia Fight Back
Namibia’s chase began poorly as the hosts slipped to 68 for five by the 11th over.
Despite the early setbacks, Zane Green and Alexander Busing-Volschenk launched an impressive recovery and brought Namibia back into contention.
Green scored 54, while Busing-Volschenk added 56 as the pair kept the home side within reach of the target.
Namibia entered the final over needing 16 runs to win, but Zimbabwe held their nerve.
Green was run out by a direct throw from the deep before Busing-Volschenk was caught behind off Evans two deliveries later. Wicketkeeper Tadiwanashe Marumani completed an impressive catch to end Namibia’s hopes.
Evans finished with three wickets for 41 runs as Namibia were bowled out for 190.
Tri-Series Remains Open
Zimbabwe will face South Africa in their next match on Tuesday.
All three teams have one victory apiece after two matches each. The teams will play each other twice during the series, with the top two sides advancing to the final scheduled for the weekend.
Scorecard
Zimbabwe – 195/6 in 20 overs
Ben Curran — 38
Brian Bennett — 32
Dion Myers — 2
Sikandar Raza — 0
Ryan Burl — 57 not out
Wessly Madhevere — 2
Tadiwanashe Marumani — 18
Brad Evans — 37 not out
Extras — 9
Total — 195/6
Namibia Bowling
Scholtz — 3-0-27-1
Trumpelmann — 4-0-38-0
Smit — 2-0-27-1
Brassell — 3-0-28-0
Erasmus — 4-0-46-3
Heingo — 4-0-25-1
Namibia – 190 all out in 20 overs
L. Steenkamp — 6
J. Frylinck — 22
G. Erasmus — 12
J.N. Loftie-Eaton — 20
JJ Smit — 6
R. Trumpelmann — 8
Zane Green — 54
Alexander Busing-Volschenk — 56
J. Scholtz — 0
J. Brassell — 0
M. Heingo — 0 not out
Extras — 6
Total — 190 all out
Zimbabwe Bowling
Blessing Muzarabani — 4-0-39-1
N. Nyamhuri — 4-0-37-0
Brad Evans — 4-0-41-3
Sikandar Raza — 4-0-31-1
Wessly Madhevere — 1-0-9-0
Brian Bennett — 1-0-8-2
W. Masakadza — 2-0-25-1
