Namibia’s chances of qualifying for the T20 Women’s World Cup finally ended on Saturday when they lost by three wickets to Papua New Guinea.
It was their third successive defeat in Group A of the global qualifying tournament in Nepal, but they put up a great challenge, with PNG only securing the victory with two balls to spare.
Namibia had earlier lost by four wickets to the USA and 80 runs to Bangladesh, and with only one group match remaining against Ireland today, they are now out of the running for a place in the Super Six stage of the tournament.
Bangladesh, who lead Group A on eight points, and Ireland (6) have already qualified for the Super Six stage, while the USA and PNG who are both on two points, will battle it out for third spot today.
In Group B, log leaders the Netherlands (six points) have already qualified for the Super Six stage, but Scotland and Thailand, who are both on four points, and Nepal on two points, will battle it out for the remaining two spots.
Zimbabwe, who lost all four their matches, are out of the running.
In Group B matches today, the Netherlands take on Thailand, while Nepal take on Scotland.
In Saturday’s match against PNG, Namibia elected to bat after winning the toss and got off to a solid start as most of their top order batters got amongst the runs.
No one, however, could build up a big total as PNG pegged Namibia back with regular wickets.
Arrasta Diergaardt was the top scorer with 36 runs off 41 balls (5×4), while Wilka Mwatile added 23 not out off 28 balls, as they reached 122 runs for five wickets off their 20 overs.
Sibona Jimmy was PNG’s most successful bowler, taking two wickets for 18 runs.
PNG got off to a strong start as their openers put on 58 runs off only 6,2 overs, before Diergaardt got the breakthrough, dismissing Hollan Doriga for 39.
Brenda Tau joined Konio Oala to revive PNG’s innings, but Sylvia Shihepo inspired a Namibian comeback as PNG lost four wickets for only seven runs.
She dismissed Tau for six, Oala for 20 and Pauke Siaka for one, and when Eveleen Kejarukua bowled Naoani Vare for two, they had crashed to 79/5.
Namibia’s fielders maintained the pressure with two run outs as PNG stumbled to 99/7, but Isabel Toua (15 not out) and Hane Tau (seven not out) saw them through to victory with two balls to spare.
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