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Lawrence Moyo
Head Zimpapers Sports
ASSOCIATE cricket member, Namibia made it three successive Twenty 20 international wins over Test-playing Zimbabwe in an ICC T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier at the Wanderers Sports Grounds in Windhoek yesterday.
Namibia, who won the last two matches of a five-match series early this month to win 3-2, continued their dominance yesterday, winning emphatically by seven wickets with 32 balls to spare in the teams’ opening game.
With only two teams making it to next year’s tournament in the West Indies, the humbling defeat against the hosts means the Chevrons must now win all remaining matches starting today against Tanzania.
Namibia won the toss and, as largely expected, elected to bowl. In their previous five-match series, chasing was the more rewarding option.
The hosts were immediately rewarded as Tadiwanashe Marumani, who hit the first ball for a maximum, was out second ball for six.
Fellow opener Nick Welch was the next out, bowled for eight off nine balls while all-rounder Sean Williams went for a golden duck.
Former captain Craig Ervine was the innings topscorer with 36 off 33 balls at number three and his departure left Zimbabwe reeling at 73/4 after 10 overs.
The second highest contribution came from Ryan Burl who was unbeaten on 27 off 25 balls while captain Sikandar Raza was not his usual aggressive self as he fell for 20 off 21 balls.
Wellington Masakadza was run out for 11 off nine balls for the innings’ fourth score in double figures as JJ Smit took three wickets for 24 in four overs.
In reply, Namibia raced to 88/0 in the eighth over before Masakadza bowled Michael van Lingen for 30 off 20 balls while fellow opener Niko Davin was the topscorer with 89 off 45 balls –he hit 10 fours and four sixes.
Online Reporter