Abu Dhabi: Namibia registered a historic first ever win in any T20 World Cup beating Netherlands by 6 wickets in Group B at the Sheikh Zyed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
Netherlands posted a solid 164/4 in 20 overs. In reply Nambia scored 166/4 to seal crucial two points with a game in hand. The victory also kept the African side alive for the chances to qualify for the Super 12’s.
The Dutch rode on opener Max O’Dowd(70) and Colin Ackerman(35) to score 164. The duo added 82 runs for the third wicket anchoring the innings. Scott Edward hammered a late flourish with his 11 ball 21 to add crucial runs at the end.
Chasing, 165, Namibia at one stage were reeling at 52/3 in 8.2 overs. Skipper Gerhard Erasmus(32) and David Wiese(66) completely turn the game around towards their side.
The Dutch bowlers had no answers for the Namibian duo who stitched a match winning 93-run stand before skipper Erasmus got dismissed in the 17th over by Tim van der Gugten however, his side already closed-in for the victory. Wisse and JJ Smit(14*) added finishing touch to seal a historic victory.
In the other game, Sri Lanka closed in for their Super 12 place with a 70run victory Ireland in Group B at the same venue.
The Lankans posted 171/7 in 20 overs despite their batting line-up didn’t offer much. Pathum Nissanka(61), Wanindu Hasaranga(71) and skipper Dasun Shanaka(21*) were the only three batters to get to double digits with the former two adding a anchoring 123 runs stand propelling the innings. Ireland’s bowling prowess was by Joshua Little(4/23) with Mark Adair(2/32) chipping in a couple of scalps.
However, the Irish batting line up was unable to complement their bowlers as they bundled out for 101 in 18.3 overs. Skipper Andrew Balbirnie(41) and Curtis Campher(24) was the couple of player who showed resilience stitching a 53 run stand.
The batting line up collapse horribly after that as the Lankan ran havoc. Maheesh Theekshana(3/17) and Lahiru Kumara(2/22) topped the charts giving Sri Lanka a edge over others in the groups to qualify for the Super 12’s.
