The Capricorn Eagles kept their 2026 T20 World Cup chances alive despite suffering a big defeat to Zimbabwe in the Africa World Cup Qualifier final on Saturday.
With the top two teams progressing to the final round of world cup qualifiers, Namibia had already reached their primary target, but Zimbabwe’s all round superiority showed as they dominated the final from the start.
After being sent in to bat Namibia’s top order batters got off to a solid if slow start with captain Sune Wittmann and Kayleen Green putting on 27 for the first wicket off seven overs.
Wittmann was the first to go, dismissed for 11, while Green kept the scoreboard ticking before being dismissed for a top score of 48 off 47 balls (5×4, 2×6).
Yasmeen Khan added a solid 23 off 21 balls and Meke Mwatile 18 off 15, but Zimbabwe chipped away with regular wickets as they restricted Namibia to 115/7 off their 20 overs.
It was not a bad total but it was not a problem for Zimbabwe, as openers Kelis Ndhlovu and Modester Mupachikwa chipped away at the target with a solid first-wicket stand.
They reached their 50-partnership in the ninth over, while Ndhlovu brought up the century partnership with a four off Khan in the 15th over.
Mupachikwa fell shortly after, bowled by Saima Tuhadeleni for 37, but the result was never in doubt and Ndhlovu took them to victory, scoring 70 not out off 52 balls, as they reached the target with three overs in hand.
Despite the defeat, Namibia have now booked their ticket for the final World Cup qualifier, as one of the top two African teams.
Namibia and Zimbabwe will now join Scotland, Bangladesh, USA, Nepal, Thailand, the Netherlands, Ireland and one more qualifer from east Asia for the final qualifying tournament which will be held in Nepal from 12 January to 2 February next year.
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be held in England from 12 June to 5 July next year.
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