Sharjah: New Zealand kept their hopes of reaching the ICC World T20 semifinals alive with a victory of 52 runs against Namibia in Super 12, Group 2 in Sharjah on Friday.
The Kiwis, started off the innings in clumsy fashion losing both their openers early on. Skipper Kane Williamson(28) lead the rebuilding of the innings but got dismissed at wrong after looking good at the middle and when Devon Conway was sent home in 14th over, New Zealand were reeling at 87/4.
However, James Neesham(35*) and Glenn Phillips(39*) joined hand starting an onslaught to pick up the pace. The duo hammered an unbeaten 76 runs to propel the Blackcaps to 163.
Chasing 164, Namibia started steadily getting 47 through their openers. Michael van Lingen(25) particularly looked good from start. However, the side lost wickets in a bunch midway through the innings, ultimately falling quite far of the target. Tim Southee(2/15) and Trent Boult(2/20) again lead the charge for the Kiwi bowling unit alongside Mitchell Santner(1/20) who bowled a crucial spell in the middle overs.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 163/4 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 39*, James Neesham 35* ;.Bernard Scholtz 1/15) beat Namibia 111/7 in 20 overs (Michael van Lingen 25, David Wisse 23; Tim Southee, Trent Boult 2/20) by 52 runs.
