Online Reporter
A SUPERB all-round display from JJ Smit fired Namibia into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and secured their place in the Africa Qualifier final, as they brushed aside Tanzania by 63 runs in the first semi-final at Harare Sports Club.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Namibia, who endured some early jitters with the bat.
After electing to bat first, Namibia slipped to 41 for four, losing Jan Frylinck for a duck to Ajith Augustin’s second delivery and watching Malan Kruger’s promising 28 end prematurely.
But from the rubble came a match-turning stand between skipper Gerhard Erasmus and Smit.
The pair stitched together 88 runs for the fifth wicket in just under 12 overs, steadying nerves and shifting momentum decisively in Namibia’s favour.
Erasmus crafted a composed 55 off 41 balls before falling with the score at 129, but Smit carried the fight to the end, finishing unbeaten on a commanding 61 from 43 deliveries, decorated with four sixes and a four.
Their efforts lifted Namibia to a competitive 174 for six, despite tidy spells from Khalidy Juma and Ally Kimote, who picked up two wickets apiece.
Tanzania’s reply never gathered the urgency required.
Their openers put on 29 in the first 5.3 overs, but the chase quickly unravelled once Smit returned with the ball.
He struck twice in three balls to rattle the top order and leave Tanzania reeling.
Abhik Patwa offered resistance with 31 from as many balls, while Mukesh Maker chipped in with 24 off 20, but Namibia’s bowlers kept the stranglehold throughout.
Smit capped his brilliant all-round day with three for 16 in his four overs, well supported by Ben Shikongo’s three for 21, as Tanzania were restricted to 111 for eight.
Meanwhile, Nigeria defeated Botswana by 44 runs in the first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier 2025 placement playoff match at Takashinga Cricket Club yesterday.
Winning the toss, Nigeria elected to bat but suffered an early setback as opener Solomon Chilemanya was dismissed for just two in the first over, while fellow opener Sulaimon Runsewe retired hurt after scoring five.
By the ninth over, the West Africans were 45 for two following Isaac Danladi’s dismissal for 19.
However, Nigeria recovered through aggressive middle-order batting.
Vincent Adewoye smashed 42 off 18 balls, hitting three sixes and four boundaries, while Sesan Adedeji added a steady 41 from 43 deliveries, including three boundaries.
Prosper Useni chipped in with 21 to help Nigeria post a competitive 166 for eight in their allotted 20 overs.
Boemo Kgosiemang was the standout bowler for Botswana, claiming three wickets for 26 runs, supported by Tharindu Perera and Dhruvkumar Maisuria, who took two wickets each from their four-over spells.
In reply, Botswana lost Karabo Modise for a solitary run in the second over but saw contributions from Vinoo Balakrishnan (20), captain Karabo Motlhanka (22) and Katlo Piet, who remained unbeaten on 22.
Tharindu Perera and Monroux Kasselman also added useful cameos of 19 and 15, respectively.
Joshua Asia stole the show for Nigeria with the ball, finishing with an impressive four wickets for just 11 runs, as Botswana were restricted to 122 for seven in 20 overs.
Nigeria’s 44-run victory sets up a clash with Uganda in the battle for fifth place tomorrow.
Uganda produced a commanding performance to defeat Malawi by 117 runs in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier 2025 playoff clash at Takashinga Cricket Club.
Winning the toss, Uganda elected to bat and posted an imposing total of 192 for three in their 20 overs.
The innings was anchored by a sensational partnership between Sumeet Verma and opener Raghav Dhawan.
Verma, who came to the crease with Uganda struggling at 32 for two in the eighth over, unleashed a blistering 88 off just 41 balls, including eight sixes and three fours, before falling to Daniel Jakiel in the penultimate over.
Dhawan, in contrast, displayed remarkable composure, carrying his bat through the innings to finish unbeaten on 50 from 48 deliveries, with two sixes and a four.
Captain Riazat Ali Shah chipped in with a brisk eight-ball 19 not out, helping Uganda reach a formidable 192 for three, setting Malawi an almost insurmountable target.
Chasing, Malawi struggled from the outset.
Only three batters reached double figures, with Aaftab Limdawala top-scoring with 22, while Mike Chaomba contributed 14 and Moazzam Baig 12 not out.
The innings never gained momentum, eventually folding at 75 for six after 20 overs.
Uganda’s bowlers dominated, with Alpesh Ramjani leading the charge, claiming four wickets for just 13 runs in his four overs.
The victory propels Uganda into the fifth-place pla
Scores
Namibia — 174-6 in 20 overs (JJ Smit 61*, Gerhard Erasmus 55, Malan Kruger 28; Khalidy Juma 2/29, Ally Kimote 2/41, Ajith Augastin 1/25)
Tanzania — 111-8 in 20 overs (Abhik Patwa 31, Mukesh Maker 24, Arun Yadav 17; JJ Smit 3/16, Ben Shikongo 3/21, Nicol Loftie-Eaton 1/3)
Namibia won by 63 runs
Nigeria — 166-8 in 20 overs (Vincent Adewoye 42, Sesan Adedeji 41, Isaac Danladi 19; Boemo Kgosiemang 3/26, Tharindu Perera 2/27, Dhruvkumar Maisuria 2/31)
Botswana — 122-7 in 20 overs (Katlo Piet 22*, Karabo Motlhanka 22, Vinoo Balakrishnan 20; Joshua Asia 4/11, Prosper Useni 1/14, Sylvester Okpe 1/15)
Nigeria won by 44 runs
Uganda — 192-3 in 20 overs (Sumeet Verma 88, Raghav Dhawan 50*, Riazat Ali Shah 19*; Kelvin Thuchila 1/8, Daniel Jakiel 1/38)
Malawi — 75-6 in 20 overs (Aaftab Limdawala 22, Mike Chaomba 14, Moazzam Baig 12*; Alpesh Ramjani 4/13, Dinesh Nakrani 1/4, Innocent Mwebaze 1/19)
Uganda won by 117 runs —Zimcricket
