Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Namibia defeated Tanzania by 63 runs in their semi-final to reach the T20 World Cup qualifier final for the fourth consecutive edition. Namibia recovered from an early collapse of 41-4 to post 174-6, thanks to a strong partnership between captain Gerhard Erasmus, who scored 55 off 41 balls, and JJ Smit, unbeaten on 61 from 43 balls.
Bowling Performance Secures Namibia Victory
In reply, Tanzania managed only 111-8, as Namibia’s bowlers dominated. JJ Smit took 3 wickets for 16 runs, and Ben Shikongo recorded 3-21, ensuring Namibia’s comfortable win and progression to the final. This victory continues Namibia’s strong record in the qualifiers.
Zimbabwe Cruises Past Kenya
In the second semi-final, hosts Zimbabwe defeated Kenya by seven wickets to qualify for the final for the first time since 2022. Kenya batted first after winning the toss and ended on 122-6, with Rakep Patel top-scoring with 65 from 47 balls.
Zimbabwe Chase Made Easy
Zimbabwe chased the target smoothly, with Brian Bennett scoring 51 off 25 balls. The Chevrons reached their target with five overs to spare, showing dominance and earning a spot in the final against Namibia.
Namibia and Zimbabwe to Meet in Final
The final will be played on Saturday, with both teams already securing qualification for the T20 World Cup next year in India and Sri Lanka. The final promises an exciting contest between two confident sides.
Namibia’s T20 World Cup Record
Namibia made a strong impression in their T20 World Cup debut in 2021 in UAE and Oman, defeating Netherlands, Ireland, and Scotland before exiting in the Super 12s. However, the team did not progress beyond the group stage in 2022 and 2024, making this year’s performance a sign of improvement.
Next year’s T20 World Cup will feature 20 nations and will be held from 7 February to 8 March in India and Sri Lanka. Namibia and Zimbabwe’s performance in this qualifier sets them up as competitive participants in the global tournament.
English
