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.
The victory sees Zimbabwe overtake Namibia into second place on the tri-series standings and gives them the chance of reaching the final of the event.
South Africa will take on Namibia in the last fixture of the tri-series on Friday and a win for the Proteas will ensure Zimbabwe reach Sunday's final.
While Sikandar Raza was thrilled with the victory, the Zimbabwe skipper won't celebrate a spot in the decider until after South Africa's match against Namibia.
"We need to get there first," Raza said post-match.
"I don't want to be disrespectful to Namibia as they have an equal chance to get there.
"I respect that and if they play their best cricket and they manage to get that win over South Africa again then they deserve to play.
"If the don't get it then we will be looking at how we go about our business."
Raza was thrilled with the response from his side, who were defeated by South Africa by 43 runs earlier in the week.
"For the fans and for the country, we have given ourselves the best chance of playing in the final," Raza noted.
"But for me what it does, I have seen the growth and improvement from the previous games.
"There were areas of concern for me which we addressed in the change room and today when I looked at it I thought we had improved on those areas.
"For me as a captain that is a good sign as I genuinely believe process over results
"Results matter for the growth of a country and also for the change room and the youngsters because there is more confidence and I get that.
"As a leader and as a captain for me...my boys went out and did really well today, which showed that these guys have a really high ceiling and constantly improving."
Zimbabwe were 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 victory.
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.