Cricket Highlights, 24 May: ZIM vs NAM (5th T20)

ZIM vs NAM (5th T20)

Namibia defeated Zimbabwe by 32 runs in the fifth and final Twenty20 International at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday, earning the tourists a historic series triumph.

The hosts won the toss and elected to put the visitors in to bat first, despite the fact that they were tied at two wins apiece. Namibia made a terrific opening with Craig Williams and Michael van Lingen scoring 31 runs in three overs to give them a good start. But when van Lingen, who struck two fours and scored 12 off seven balls, was caught at the wicket by Richmond Mutumbami off Brad Evans, Namibia’s luck ran out.

Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton stayed in with Williams and scored nine runs off ten balls, with 17 runs coming off the next three overs before being dismissed for nine by Jongwe. Jongwe then delivered a big blow by having Gerhard Erasmus, the match’s hero, caught at the wicket without scoring on the second delivery, and wickets continued to fall steadily.

Williams batted brilliantly, but four middle-order batsmen were dismissed for single figures — two wickets to Jongwe and two to Sikandar Raza.

Then, in the 12th over, Jan Frylinck came in at 84 for five and played with more consistency. After facing 39 balls and hitting five fours, Williams’ outstanding innings came to an end at 48 with a run-out.

Frylinck was subsequently dismissed for 15 off 21 balls by Wessly Madhevere, and Namibia were reduced to 106 for eight in the 17th over. 

The bowlers were unable to finish off the innings, however, as Ruben Trumpelmann batted fearlessly and Bernard Scholtz supported him.

Trumpelmann made 19 runs off 14 balls, including a six and a four, and the pair contributed 21 crucial runs. The innings ended with 127 for eight, a goal Zimbabwe should be able to achieve.

Jongwe, Raza, and Madhevere each took two wickets for less than 20 runs, which was commendable bowling.

With Madhevere and Innocent Kaia hitting 23 for the first wicket, Zimbabwe seemed to be in good shape.

However, catastrophe struck when Madhevere was lbw to Frylinck for 10 in the fourth over.  With his next ball, the same bowler bowled out the new man, Regis Chakabva, and Kaia was run out for 12. Zimbabwe were down to 27 for three after losing three wickets in four runs.

Now it was up to Raza’s experience and Tony Munyonga’s cool head to repair the damage and get Zimbabwe back on track. They scored in singles for the most part, waiting for the bad balls to look for boundaries. In the ninth over, they scored 26 in 4.3 overs until Namibia broke through again, and Raza was caught at the wicket by Ben Shikongo for 12 – 53 for four.

Mutumbami was bowled by Scholtz just one run later, and Zimbabwe was reduced to 54 for five.

Tiripano batted well for three overs, scoring mostly singles with Munyonga, before being caught by Erasmus for 11 off 15 balls in the 13th over, with the score at 72 for six. Jongwe joined Munyonga, but the bowling and fielding were too tight for them to score freely, and the run rate progressively increased to almost 10 per over.

Munyonga, the only Zimbabwe hitter to score more than 12 runs in the match, was bowled by Wiese after 17 overs for a magnificent fighting performance of 28 off 31 balls, thereby putting the final nail in the coffin of the home side.

With 40 runs needed off the final three overs, the score was suddenly 88 for seven. With five balls remaining, Jongwe was run out for seven, Brad Evans was bowled for two by Erasmus, and Brandon Mavuta was caught by Trumpelmann to complete the defeat for 95 runs.

At least one wicket was taken by each of the six bowlers, with Frylinck and Erasmus each taking two.

Namibia has won its first T20I series against a Full Member.

ZIM vs NAM Scoreboard

Zimbabwe –  95/10 (19.1)

Namibia – 127/8 (20)

Result – Namibia won by 32 runs

Player of the match – Craig Williams

ZIM vs NAM Playing XIs