Zimbabwe beat Namibia to keep tri-series final hopes alive
With two wins from four games, Zimbabwe are now placed second in the tri-series standings.
Innocent Kaia’s blistering 72-run knock in the chase ensured a smooth sail for Zimbabwe as they beat Namibia with five wickets to spare to notch their second win of the ongoing tri-series.
Chasing 157 for the win and despite a slip up early on in the form of Ben Curran’s wicket for five runs, a 61-run second-wicket partnership off just 4.4 overs set the tone inside the powerplay.
Kaia’s splendid 72, that included eight fours and three sixes made sure Zimbabwe remained on top of the required rate at all times. Skipper Sikandar Raza also made a valuable 29 to keep Zimbabwe moving towards the win.
Ruben Trumpelman returned with 2-41 but it was only a minor bump in Zimbabwe’s chase.
Earlier on, having won a game and lost one, Namibia were put in to bat first by Zimbabwe.
A shaky start followed as the hosts found themselves reeling at 25/3 inside the first 5 overs, with openers Louren Steenkamp (14), Jan Frylinck (8) and no. 4 keeper-batter Zane Green (1) unable to tick on with the willow.
Skipper Gerhard Erasmus stood his ground, despite the wickets tumbling around him and forged an 83-run fourth-wicket stand alongside Alexander Volschenk, who anchored the innings on the other end with a vital 29 off 31.
Erasmus pushed on and made a valiant unbeaten 88 off 48 deliveries, lacing the knock with eight fours and three sixes to drag Namibia to 156/6 from their quota of 20 overs.
Brad Evans (2/29) and Kundai Matigimu (2/31) were the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe, while Sikandar Raza and Blessing Muzarabani scalped one apiece.
Namibia, who have won one in three so far, take on South Africa next tomorrow, September 4, in Windhoek to determine their place in the final on Sunday.