Namibia scored 155/9 in 20 overs, where as Scotland scored 157/5 in 18.3 overs.
So, finally Scotland beat Namibia by 5 wickets.
Skipper Richie Berrington and Michael Leask led Scotland to their first win of the 2024 T20 World Cup by defeating Namibia.
Scotland, who had already impressed against England before the washout, chased down 156 with nine balls to spare.
Where was the game won?
At the death.
Until then, it was anyone’s game with both teams in a similar position after the 15th over.
While Namibia faltered in the final overs, losing key wickets, Scotland managed to hammer 48 runs in just 3.3 overs to secure the victory.
Namibia
Powerplay: Top order falls
Phase score – 48/3 [RR: 8, 4s/6s: 7/1]
Namibia achieved a good run rate in the powerplay but lost their top three wickets by the end of the fifth over.
JP Kotze was out for a three-ball duck in the opening over, and Jan Frylinck dragged one onto his stumps.
Nikolaas Davin hit several boundaries, but his momentum was cut short as Scotland took early control.
Middle overs: Damage control for Namibia
Phase score – 65/2 in 9 overs [RR: 7.2, 4s/6s: 4/1]
Losing those three wickets meant Namibia had to play it safe during the middle overs, especially after Chris Greaves struck early in his first over to leave them at 55/4.
Skipper Gerhard Erasmus helped Namibia recover, pushing the scoring rate up after a slow spell by hitting boundaries at regular intervals.
Unfortunately, he was stumped immediately after reaching his fifty with a six, leaving his side vulnerable again.
Death overs: Scotland’s excellent finish
Phase score – 42/4 [RR: 8.4, 4s/6s: 1/3]
Namibia began well at the death with David Wiese hitting a six over long on and Zane Green showing aggression in Mark Watt’s final over.
At 135/5 after 17 overs, Namibia aimed for at least 165.
However, Scotland’s Brad Wheal dismissed both Wiese and Green in the space of three deliveries, ending Namibia’s innings on a lower note.
Scotland
Powerplay: A tale of two halves
Phase score – 43/1 [RR: 8.6, 4s/6s: 3/1]
The powerplay was a game of contrasts for Scotland.
They were watchful initially, with Ruben Trumpelmann conceding a few wides.
Scotland had 19 on the board after three overs despite George Munsey’s struggles at one end.
Munsey was dismissed in the fourth over, but Michael Jones hit 18 runs in the final powerplay over, giving Scotland momentum.
Middle overs: Teams trade blows
Phase score – 66/3 [RR: 7.3, 4s/6s: 3/2]
Similar to the powerplay, the middle overs saw both teams trading blows.
At the halfway stage, Namibia appeared to be the favourites.
Michael Jones was caught behind, and Erasmus continued his excellent game by dismissing Brandon McMullen.
Scotland were 69/3 at the halfway mark, needing a big push.
The situation worsened as they reached 73/4 by the end of the next over.
However, Berrington broke free with a four and a six, easing the pressure, and Leask hit a six to bring the equation down to 47 from the final five overs.
Death overs: Leask’s blows smoothen the passage
Phase score – 48/1 [RR: 13.71, 4s/6s: 1/4]
David Wiese, who had conceded just three runs from his first two overs, faced Leask’s assault as he smashed him for two sixes, with Berrington adding a four in between.
That 19-run over put Scotland on top.
Leask then cleared the ropes for the fourth time in the evening.
Although he couldn’t finish the job, Berrington sealed the deal with nine balls to spare.
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