Namibia got their T20 World Cup Qualifying campaign back on track with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory against the United States on Monday.
Namibia’s bowlers did well to reduce USA to 113 for eight wickets off their 20 overs, before Gerrie Snyman hit a swashbuckling 62 off only 35 balls as Namibia eased to victory with seven overs remaining.
It was Namibia’s first victory in the tournament after a defeat to Ireland and a draw to Nepal after their match was abandoned due to rain.
Monday’s match against the USA was once again in danger of being rained out, but after an early shower it cleared up.
Namibia won the toss and sent the USA in to bat, who were under pressure from the start against some accurate Namibian bowling.
Jason Davidson got the first breakthrough, dismissing Fahad Babar for 8, but Akeem Dodson and Timothy Surujbally took the total to 46 before the latter was run out by Craig Williams for 3.
Dodson went on to top-score with 49 before he was dismissed by Bernard Scholtz, but the United States regularly lost wickets as Namibia’s bowlers turned up the pressure, and they could only manage to score a modest total of 113 for eight wickets off their 20 overs.
Scholtz took two wickets for 13 runs, while Davidson, Louis Klazinga and Sarel Burger each took one wicket.
Namibia’s innings got off to a great start as Snyman and Stephen Baard put them in charge with a 97-run partnership in 10 overs.
Snyman smashed his first ball for a six and didn’t let up as he hit the USA attack to all corners of the field.
His 50 came up off 25 balls before he was eventually out for 62 off only 35 balls, which included five sixes and five fours.
Baard was dismissed shortly after for 34 off 29 balls which included four fours, and although Raymond van Schoor was also out for 3, JP Kotze (8) and Sarel Burger (3) took them to a comfortable victory with 43 balls remaining.
Namibia are now third in Group B on three points from three matches. Ireland lead the log with four points from two matches, while Papua New Guinea, Namibia and Nepal are all on three points, although PNG have the better run rate.
Jersey are on two points and Hong Kong on one, while the United States must still open their account.
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