Peter Tanyanyiwa
NAMIBIA ended the group stages with a perfect record after theu cruised to an eight-wicket win over Malawi in the afternoon fixture of the ICC T20 Africa qualifiers at Harare Sports Club.
The Namibians were powered by Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton’s brilliant bowling.
Malawi lost early wickets, falling from 15 for no loss to eight down for 35, with Loftie-Eaton claiming four for 10 in four overs.
Gift Kansonkho remained unbeaten on 31 to help Malawi reach 71.Namibia’s chase was comfortable.Malan Kruger led with 28 off 11 balls, Jan Frylinck scored 22 not out and Loftie-Eaton remained unbeaten on 14 as Namibia reached the target with only two wickets down.
Rakep Patel and Sachin Bhudia guided Kenya to a seven-wicket victory over Nigeria at Takashinga Cricket Club, sealing a semi-final berth.Nigeria batted first, posting 147 for seven, with Isaac Danladi top-scoring with 53 off 47 balls.
His dismissal at 128 for four triggered a slowdown, and Kenya never faced a massive total.
Kenya’s innings began shakily, losing both openers with the score at 38 in four overs. Patel scored 53 off 38 balls, with two sixes and five fours, while Bhudia hit 57 not out off 28 balls, including four sixes and four fours, as they forged a decisive partnership to guide Kenya home with overs to spare.
Uganda defeated Botswana by eight wickets in the morning fixture at Takashinga Cricket Club.
Batting first, Botswana looked promising as openers Monroux Kasselman (20) and Vinoo Balakrishnan (24) added 39 for the first wicket in 7.3 overs.
But once separated, the batting collapsed, with only Reginald Nehonde (16 not out) showing resistance. Botswana finished on 81 for six in 20 overs. Uganda’s chase started shakily, losing Ronald Lutaaya to a run out off the first ball and Robinson Obuya lbw to Boemo Kgosiemang.
Raghav Dhawan steadied the innings with a composed 54 not out off 45 balls, supported by Sumeet Verma’s 29 not out. —Zimcricket
Online Reporter