New Zealand (163/4) defeat Namibia (111/7) by 52 runs in the ICC T20 World Cup at Sharjah

[MenInG]

Squads:

New Zealand Squad: Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson(c), Devon Conway(w), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Tim Seifert, Kyle Jamieson, Todd Astle, Mark Chapman

Namibia Squad: Stephan Baard, Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus(c), Zane Green(w), David Wiese, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Michael van Lingen, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Ruben Trumpelmann, Ben Shikongo, Bernard Scholtz, Pikky Ya France, Michau du Preez, Karl Birkenstock

==

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[trickyone]

I am expecting a win for Namibia today, we haven't seen any upset in this tournament so far

[MenInG]

I am expecting a win for Namibia today, we haven't seen any upset in this tournament so far

Think you are asking for a near seismic event.

[SpiritOf1903]

I am expecting a win for Namibia today, we haven't seen any upset in this tournament so far

This. It's coming from this game or Scotland... Afghanistan are also doing a number on NZ

Think you are asking for a near seismic event.

Namibia have got some serious talent.

[MenInG]

Mitchell Santner knows the easiest way for New Zealand to avoid complex mathematical calculations about their place in the semi-finals is to win their remaining two Super 12s games and says that is exactly what they’re planning to do.

If New Zealand beat Namibia in Sharjah on Friday and Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi 48 hours later, then they qualify from Group 2 of the Super 12s into the semi-finals.

However, if the Black Caps were to lose to Afghanistan, then the second qualification spot could come down to which of them, Afghanistan and India have the best net run-rate - with the Afghan team currently leading on that metric.

A convincing victory over Namibia on Friday would help New Zealand’s run-rate cause but Santner insists the sole focus is on winning cricket matches, rather than worrying about other factors.

“The nature of each group being very tight means run rate is going to play a part,” said Santner. “I guess for us it's just about winning the next two games and then we're through.

“I think especially at a ground like Sharjah, if you're trying to win or win by a lot, it can be quite challenging. Just with the way the surface is.

“So I think we've just got to look first at just playing our best cricket at Sharjah and beating Namibia and then moving on from there and seeing what Abu Dhabi has for us against Afghanistan.

“But I guess it's in our control. If we win two games, we're through. So I don't think we need to look too much into the net run rate.”

Left-arm spinner Santner has bowled economically so far in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 but taken just one wicket – in the first Super 12s match against Pakistan.

However, that role suits the 29-year-old just fine and says that he and Ish Sodhi are forming a potent spin tandem for the Black Caps, just as they hoped.

“Obviously as a collective we've began pretty good as a unit,” Santner said of New Zealand’s bowlers.

“I guess as a spinner, me and Ish, I'd say he's probably more the aggressor.

“My role is to deny runs. It kind of forces the big shot at the other end. And we've seen each get the wickets, he's bowled extremely well.

“I'm pretty happy floating around the radar and going under run a ball.”

For their part, Namibia have had an impressive ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – playing superbly to qualify from the First Round and then also beating Scotland in the Super 12s.

And ahead of playing another world-class team in the form of New Zealand, former South Africa international David Wiese admits he has loved representing Namibia on the biggest stage.

“It's been amazing for me just being back,” explained the batter. “Playing international cricket again has been an awesome experience for me.

“To play with a team like Namibia that's got a lot of talent, a lot of potential there, to help those guys out and to make it into the Super 12 stage has been amazing for us.

“We know New Zealand is a tough opposition. They've got world-class players there. And again, we’ll be seen as the underdogs in the game, but we've played the games at Sharjah.

“We’ve played and had a bit of success at Sharjah, and we think it's a wicket that could suit our type of bowling. So we've done our prep.

“In T20 cricket at the end of the day, one person can take the game away from the opposition. And if it's your day, you can stand up and be that man of the match performance and you never know what can happen.”

[battler]

Think you are asking for a near seismic event.

A win for Namibia will bring India back big time into the competition. In fact if Namibia win I would then consider India as favorites to finish 2nd in the group and qualify as Ind-Namibia is the last game in the group. India would know exactly what it needs to do.

[Usman Chadda]

Namibia have no chance against New Zealand

[pakistani pride]

This. It's coming from this game or Scotland... Afghanistan are also doing a number on NZ



Namibia have got some serious talent.

Afghan team beating NZ in UAE is not a big upset. on these slow pitches, with support for spin, I would even say its 50/50.

All the Asian teams have an advantage here. More so when batting they shouldn't be too worried about the pace.

That makes the performance from Bangla team even more worse. Imagine them facing ENG / AUS / SA in SENA....

[MenInG]

Namibia have won the toss and have opted to field

Kane Williamson: Looks a typical Sharjah wicket. Important we need to build some partnerships early on and then take it forward. Have had few niggles but so far so good. The guys are going alright. We have got the same team.

Gerhard Erasmus: We will bowl first. The pitch looks very good, Tough to defend. Hopefully we will be able to chase down later. It has been tough but we have been used to it. It has been a good tournament so far. Would want to go one better today. Two forced changes for us.

New Zealand (Playing XI): Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson(c), Devon Conway(w), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult

Namibia (Playing XI): Stephan Baard, Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus(c), David Wiese, JJ Smit, Zane Green(w), Michael van Lingen, Karl Birkenstock, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz

[WhenSultansBowled]

Namibia have no chance against New Zealand

At least their main players won't pull an Afghanistan and will not sell their souls.

Trumpelmann can make NZ openers struggle and make it competitive.

[Devadwal]

Nz two down

[Devadwal]

Need 2 more wicket otherwise game over for Namibia as 150 is winning score

[Aman]

We're not going to beat Afghanistan playing like this, might even lose this match the way this is going.

Our batting is really average, too many nurdlers who can't go between gears after Guptill and Mitchell.

[Aman]

Kane is not a T20 player 70% of the time.

[fight_club]

4 down. Comeon Nam give it to kiwis

[Aman]

God we suck.

No idea how we beat India.

[Aman]

Probably would have lost against Scotland too if it weren't for Guptill's innings.

[Omer2002]

Unbelivebale stuff this...on a sharjah pitch. India to win the world cup from here me thinks....quite shocking this

[Aman]

Want India to qualify just for the lols, but that would rely on us beating Afghanistan which is pretty unlikely.

[Charmander]

Next 4 overs might just make this the most shocking world cup

[RamLakhan]

Namibia appears to be professional! A team to watch out in future...

[fight_club]

Sharjah is the best surface to cause an upset.

[reversehook]

Wow NZ, really making a mountain out if this dead rubber style winnable game...

[GLORY OF '92]

Lol NZ. Still win but making it interesting

[Aman]

Next WC the groups need to be more balanced, neither us or India deserve to make it through and realistically Afghanistan wouldn't qualify if Aus or SA were in this group.

[Aman]

These two might bail us out, but a really underwhelming performance.

If we play like this against Afghanistan, we're going to get hammered.

[Charmander]

Namibia appears to be professional! A team to watch out in future...

No chance. Look at their team, it's only the white population that cares about cricket, and their white population is too small. They will fade like kenya, with the occasional t20 wc appearance here and there.

[Aman]

Phillips and Neesham hurting the chances of an upset.

[RamLakhan]

Next WC the groups need to be more balanced, neither us or India deserve to make it through and realistically Afghanistan wouldn't qualify if Aus or SA were in this group.

NZ are alright (including this game)

[hamzie]

NZ toying with indian fans

[Aman]

NZ are alright (including this game)

SA have probably been the 4th best team in the tournament and will most likely miss out.

[The Googly]

Kiwis have batted very poorly last two games. Afghans will beat them. Expect a pumped up, fully fit Afghan team v New Zealand. And of course, BCCI will not make any bonus payments to Afghans for winning. How dare anyone suggest this!

[battler]

No way are Nz losing this. Only a sub 130 score would have given Namibia a chance. Good sides would struggle to score 150+ here.

[Nikhil_cric]

Phillips and Neesham hurting the chances of an upset.

I like how you were bagging England for years for poaching players from SA but have been dependent on Saffers to keep your own cricket competitive - Wagner, Watling and now Conway and Philipps.

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

These two might bail us out, but a really underwhelming performance.

If we play like this against Afghanistan, we're going to get hammered.

I was expecting 190+ from NZ to settle down some nerves of the batsman for semi's.

[Aman]

I like how you were bagging England for years for poaching players from SA but have been dependent on Saffers to keep your own cricket competitive - Wagner, Watling and now Conway and Philipps.

Phillips and Watling came through the NZ system.

[hamzie]

what a last over

[The Googly]

Kiwis to win by around 20-30 runs?

[Last Monetarist]

New Zealand finish 163/4 from 20 overs.

Good cameos by Phillips (39*) and Neesham (35*) in a partnership of 76 runs from 6 overs.

[jattafridi]

Need amazing bowling performance from New Zealand

[Last Monetarist]

NZ innings highlights:

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/giqt9w" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

[gani999]

Namibia appears to be professional! A team to watch out in future...

They are all of European ancestry and have both the professionalism and sporting nature in their upbringing. I wish we see more of teams like Namibia in World Cricket.

[Faisalabadimunda]

The only way Naimbia had a chance to win was to restrict nz to 130/35. Unfortunately the last 4 over have won nz the game. Do far naimbia not showingmuc intent to go for this total. Maybe trying not to get rolled over?

[realitygaf]

Pakistan should really sign up Baard and Trumpelmann for next PSL

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Namibia 36/0 after 6 overs.
Very nice Power Play for Namibia.

[RamLakhan]

They are all of European ancestry and have both the professionalism and sporting nature in their upbringing. I wish we see more of teams like Namibia in World Cricket.

They are from African continent and very near to South Africa! Looking at them playing (thanks to Indian team for making me to watch this match with some interest!) it reminds me very much of South Africa when they first played after the ban (against Indian in India in an ODI series, which we won by 2-1, but last match was convincingly won by South Africa!)

[Devadwal]

Atleast NZ is not winning with big margins .many around 25-30 runs

[Rana]

Pakistan should really sign up Baard and Trumpelmann for next PSL

IPL needs them more

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Namibia 45/0 after 7 overs.
Good batting show

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Gone. Neesham takes first wicket

[Concerned]

I am expecting a win for Namibia today, we haven't seen any upset in this tournament so far

The tournament started with a upset.

[Rana]

This opening partnership has put the game on a platter for Weise to chase

He should come in next

[Artaxerxes]

Very decent power play for Namibia.This Namibian team is far better than Afghan hacks.They play proper shots.They don’t get they same hype as Afghans.I think Namibian cricket has good future.

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Santner cleaned him up. Gone

[castortroy]

Kiwi spinners were always going to take over the match.

Sodhi up there with Adil rashid and Rashid Khan

[Ozeirk]

C'mon newzeland. Lift that nrr

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Oh that's nasty

[Last Monetarist]

New Zealand - 163/4 (20 overs) defeat Namibia - 111/7 (20 overs) by 52 runs.

[imshally81]

So what is the equation for india or NZ to qualify the Semis

[Last Monetarist]

So what is the equation for india or NZ to qualify the Semis

New Zealand need to lose to Afghanistan, albeit not too badly. Whereas, India need to defeat Scotland and Namibia by heavy margins.

If New Zealand do lose to Afghanistan on Sunday, India will know the exact margin to defeat Namibia on Monday night in order to qualify.

[shah9425]

New Zealand Run Rate is +1.277

[Hassaan HS]

[ HIGHLIGHTS ] New Zealand VS Namibia <div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/tqg7wn" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

[gani999]

They are from African continent and very near to South Africa! Looking at them playing (thanks to Indian team for making me to watch this match with some interest!) it reminds me very much of South Africa when they first played after the ban (against Indian in India in an ODI series, which we won by 2-1, but last match was convincingly won by South Africa!)

They are whites of European ancestry who settled in Africa centuries ago. Namibia was once a part of South Africa. It used to be called South West Africa before it became independent.

[MenInG]

New Zealand moved above Afghanistan into second spot in Group 2 following a 52-run win over a spirited Namibia in Sharjah.

Namibia’s tidy start with the ball was undone as Glenn Phillips and Jimmy Neesham bludgeoned 67 in a decisive final four overs, finishing unbeaten on 39 and 35 respectively.

The Black Caps bowlers then kept their discipline to see their side home and leave them well placed to seal the second qualifying spot from Group 2 in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.

Put in, New Zealand openers Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell walked out with the aim of building a large total knowing net run rate could be crucial to their qualification hopes.

The pair added 30 before Guptill sent a low catch to Ruben Trumpelmann at mid-off as David Wiese struck with the first ball of the fifth over.

Mitchell followed his partner back to the pavilion just after the powerplay as he misjudged a delivery from Bernard Scholtz and skied to Michael van Lingen at cover.

At the halfway stage of their innings, New Zealand were going at just over a run a ball as the Namibian bowlers kept the Blackcaps to 62 for two.

Kane Williamson’s side were further restricted by World Cup debutant Karl Birkenstock, whose two overs cost just nine, and New Zealand were 81 for three when the Black Caps skipper chopped on against his opposite number Gerhard Erasmus for 28.

Birkenstock and Erasmus then combined to dismiss Devon Conway, Erasmus with a pin-point accurate throw to the non-striker's end where Birkenstock whipped off the bails in the nick of time.

Erasmus’s good work was then slightly undone as he conceded 14 off his final over, ending with figures of one for 22.

It was the same story for the usually tidy David Wiese, JJ Smit and Trumpelmann as New Zealand accelerated at the death to end on 163 for four, Neesham and Phillips putting on 76 for the fifth wicket.

In reply, Namibia started steadily as openers Stephan Baard and van Lingen went at a run a ball through the powerplay but just as van Lingen looked to be getting settled, Neesham bowled him for 25.

Baard went in the next over, bowled by Mitchell Santner, before Ish Sodhi got the key wicket of Gerhard Erasmus as Namibia fell to 56 for three at the halfway mark.

Crucially, Wiese was now at the middle and before long he saw a powerful drive off Sodhi deflected on to the bowler’s forehead; having been cleared to continue, the spinner saw his third over cost 15 as Wiese and Zane Green showed no mercy by each smashing him for six.

Wiese could do no more damage, however, as Tim Southee trapped him lbw and he had to depart for 16 off 17 balls.

While New Zealand had accelerated in the 17th over, Namibia stuttered as Trent Boult restricted them to just four runs before Southee got another wicket, Boult proving a safe pair of hands to dismiss Green for 23.

Boult then claimed two scalps in his final over as both Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Craig Williams had to depart for second-ball ducks.

Milne conceded just five from the final over as Namibia finished on 111 for seven to see New Zealand move to second and Kane Williamson became the Black Caps most successful T20I captain.

Scores in brief

New Zealand beat Namibia at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah by 52 runs.
New Zealand 163/4 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 39 not out; Jimmy Neesham 35 not out; Bernard Scholtz 1/15, Gerhard Erasmus 1/22)
Namibia 111/7 in 20 overs (Michael van Lingen 25, Zane Green 23; Tim Southee 2/15, Trent Boult 2/20)
Player of the Match: Jimmy Neesham (New Zealand)

[SpiritOf1903]

Afghanistan will beat NZ only for Namibia to play the Joker.

[Devadwal]

Great win for nz