New Zealand boost semi-final prospects with win over Namibia

New Zealand have strengthened their semi-final prospects with a 52-run win over Namibia in Group 2's fixture of ICC Men's T20 World Cup at Sharjah International Stadium.

Blackcaps posted a 164-run target courtesy of late heroics from Glenn Phillips and James Neesham. Bowlers restricted Namibia to 111/7 and claimed a convincing win.

New Zealand cruise past Namibia to register a 52-run victory!

✅ Great death overs batting.
✅ Collective bowling display.
✅ Move to 2nd place in Group II.

Can the Kiwis ensure qualification?#NZvNAM #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/m0qNIrRDvg

— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) November 5, 2021

New Zealand will now play their last group game against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on November 7. A win against Afghanistan will see them qualify for the semi-finals. 

Earlier, Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus decided to bowl first against New Zealand. Blackcaps' opening duo of Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell looked good but fell after getting starts.

Veteran David Wiese removed Guptill (18) to give Namibia their first breakthrough while Bernard Scholtz removed Mitchell (19) on the second ball of the seventh over.

Skipper Kane Williamson and Devon Conway paired up to provide stability but Namibian bowlers kept them quiet in middle-overs.

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While looking to accelerate, Williamson was clean bowled by his opposite number Gerhard Erasmus. He scored 28 off 25, powered by two fours and six.

Meanwhile, Erasmus executed an impressive piece of fielding in the following over. He ran out Conway while the batters were looking to complete double. Conway made 17 off 18 balls.

Namibia kept New Zealand in check but Glenn Phillips and James Neeshan smacked all over the ground in the last four overs. They scored 67 and led New Zealand's total to 163/4.

Phillips scored unbeaten 39 off 21 balls which included three sixes and a four while Neesham made 23-ball 35m powered by two sixes and a four.

Erasmus was brilliant with his off-spinners as he bowled four overs and conceded only 22 while Scholz bowled three overs for 1/15.

Phillips and Neesham pile on 72 runs in the last five overs to give New Zealand advantage after a slow start. 👏

Can Namibia chase this target down? 🎯#NZvNAM #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/g0nx7Bz9WE

— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) November 5, 2021

In return, Namibia were cautious in their approach. Michael van Lingen and Stephan Baard scored run a ball in powerplay. They posted Namibia's highest opening stand but Neesham soon provided the first breakthrough. He castled Lingen's stumps on the second ball of his spell. Lingen scored 25 in as many balls and hit two fours and a six.

Mitchell Santner in the following replicated Lingen's mode of dismissal. Baard was cleaned up on the score of 51. Baard made 22-ball 21. Namibia's struggle continued as leg-spinner Ish Sodhi struck in his first over to remove skipper Erasmus (3) while Wiese (16) was trapped by Tim Southeew for LBW dismissal.

New Zealand bowlers kept their dominance throughout and Namibia ended on 111/7.  The two stalwarts Tim Southee and Trent Boult were impressive once again. Southee bagged figures of 2/15 while Boult finished on 2/20.