THE 2026 edition of the Nedbank Namibia Desert Ice T20 League was officially launched by Impact Cricket Namibia on 29 April at the new Namibia Cricket Ground.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from today to 2 August at venues including United Cricket Grounds, Wanderers Cricket Grounds, and Windhoek Afrikaans Privaatskool-Park.
A media statement reads that the 2026 edition will feature eight teams and 160 players from national, premier, and junior divisions in 30 matches.
The winners will take home N$50 000, which may be used for the winner’s institutional development, with the runners-up set to receive N$10 000.
The tournament is sponsored by Nedbank Namibia through its Pay Today and Avo SuperShop platforms, which have increased its sponsorship from N$150 000 in 2025 to N$200 000.
“This sponsorship is for administrative purposes and will enable the development of cricket in Namibia by providing a platform that allows cricketers to build match temperament and prepare for international competition,” the statement reads.
The league was first played four years ago to address a gap in player development.
The 2026 season features eight teams, namely Central Sunrisers (Windhoek), CCD Tigers (Windhoek), Spur Warriors (Walvis Bay and Swakopmund), Green Mambas (Windhoek), Gobabis Bulls (Gobabis), Run Whisperers (Windhoek), Unam Zebras (Windhoek), and Etungo Kudus (Okahandja and North).
They will compete in a round-robin format, with the top three engaged in a playoff competition to decide the two teams to battle in the finals on 2 August at United Grounds.
Impact Cricket Namibia director Asad Abbas says the initiative supports numerous local professionals, including media managers, umpires, scorers, groundsmen, and kit manufacturers.
“This year, we have introduced the super-sub rule. This allows teams to involve 12 players in a match, as the super-sub can replace any player at any time for the remainder of the game.
“However, a premier or national player cannot serve as a super-sub, ensuring that the rule primarily benefits emerging players and promotes their development within the league. We have also maintained a minimum age requirement of 14 years to encourage youth participation.”
He adds that the 2026 edition of the desert ice T20 league represents another major step forward for Namibian cricket.
“Our mission has always been to create a platform that accelerates domestic talent development, and this season we’re raising the bar with even more opportunities for players to compete at a high-performance level, better venues, better coverage, tougher opponents.”
Abbas says the 2025 season successfully provided competitive matches for cricketers from junior to national levels. The league delivered broad brand visibility across print and digital media. This included 46 livestreams with over 432 000 views and several articles in major newspapers through tireless efforts of the Impact Cricket Namibia team.
Nedbank Namibia spokesperson Selma Kaulinge says the desert ice T20 league can become a world-class cricketing spectacle, thereby positioning Namibia as a vibrant hub for elite T20 competition.
“Nedbank Namibia remains deeply committed to the development of local sport as a primary vehicle for community upliftment and youth empowerment. By supporting this tournament, we enable vital participation for over 160 players, ensuring they receive the high-level match exposure necessary to compete on the global stage.”
She says by supporting such initiatives, Nedbank is also building a sustainable cricket ecosystem by investing in infrastructure, coaching, and youth development, as well as facilitating the development of seasoned cricket players who can go on and represent Namibia at the elite level.
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