Namibia began the Super 12s round on a positive note after they etched a 4-wicket win against Scotland in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 110 runs, Namibia openers Craig Williams and Michael van Lingen started the proceedings in a decent manner and put 28 on the board for the first wicket before van Lingen departed for 18 off 24.
Williams was then joined by Zane Green in the middle and the two batters stitched a partnership of 22 runs. But Green’s dismissal was followed by a couple of more wickets in quick succession, leaving Namibia in a spot of bother at 67/4.
JJ Smit and David Wiese then came for the side’s rescue and built a partnership of 35 runs for the fifth wicket to get Namibia back on track.
The Scotland bowlers did manage to get Wiese’s wicket and followed it with Jan Frylinck’s scalp but it was certainly too late for them as Namibia eventually went over the line with five balls to spare. Smit remained unbeaten at 23-ball 32 during the course.
Michael Leask picked up a couple of wickets for 12 runs in 2 overs for Scotland while Bradley Wheal had one wicket to his name at the cost of 14 runs in 4 overs.
Earlier, in the day, Ruben Trumpelmann ripped apart the Scotland top-order as he scalped three wickets in the very first over. The misery didn’t end here as the Scotland team was reduced to 18/4 and were left tottering at 57/5 before Leask and Chris Greaves joined hands to provide some resistance to the side.
The two batsmen put up a stand of 36 runs before Leask was cleaned up by Smit for 44 off 27. Scotland lost another couple of wickets and were restricted to 109/8 in 20 overs. Trumpelmann eventually returned with figures of 3/17 in 4 overs while Frylinck picked up two for 10 in his 4 overs.
Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus expressed delight on another World Cup win. “Delighted to get another World Cup win, another proud moment for the team. From here on we have to lift our level. We are excited for the challenge. Hopefully we can execute on those days. We all know we back each other. It was always about showing good intent. Luckily we got few partnerships to get over the line,” he said in the post-match presentation.
Namibia will now play Afghanistan on Sunday in Abu Dhabi while Scotland will be up against New Zealand on November 3 in Dubai.