Namibia upset South Africa as Windhoek debut ends in last-ball thriller

The one-off T20I between Namibia and South Africa at the newly-built Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek went in the favour of the hosts by four wickets with no balls to spare. The last-ball thriller meant Namibia famously clinched the first-ever T20I meeting between the two sides, in what was also the first game at the venue, marking a truly historic moment in Cricket Namibia.

Ruben Trumpelmann was involved in both of South Africa’s wickets, which well inside the first six overs as the Donavon Ferreira-led side batted first. The returning Quinton de Kock was caught at square leg off a Gerhard Erasmus delivery, before Trumpelmann struck in his first over to get rid of Reeza Hendricks (7 off 9). The Proteas could manage only 33 by the end of the powerplay phase.

Trumpelmann struck with another wicket, this time in his second over. The tourists were five down after Max Heingo inflicted a double-wicket over in the 11th over of the innings. Overs 12 to 18 witnessed only one boundary being scored. Jason Smith top-scored with a 31-run knock on his 31st birthday for the South African side.

A thrilling chase

The two Namibian openers were back in the shed by the end of four overs. A 12-run sixth over meant Namibia had had a better powerplay than their opponents. With 67 scored inside the first-half of the innings, 68 were required off the final 10 overs. Skipper Erasmus departed for a run-a-ball 21 on the fourth ball, but the hope was not all lost here.

The first six of the Namibian innings came off the bat of Malan Kruger on the fourth ball of the 16th over. He was dismissed in the subsequent over. 32 runs were required off the final three overs. A 12-run penultimate over brought down the equation to 11 off six balls. Zane Green kept his cool and led from the front with an unbeaten 30-run knock off 23 balls.

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