Namibia continue impressive run in T20 World Cup, defeat Scotland

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Namibia have continued to impress everyone in the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup as they defeated Scotland by four wickets in Group 2 clash at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Namibia concluded the chase of 110 for the loss of six wickets in the final over with JJ Smit hitting a six. 

It was the first time in the tournament's history that two associate teams were competing in the main round.

Earlier, Namibian skipper Gerhard Erasmus decided to bowl first and restricted Scotland to 109/8. 

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Ruben Trumpelmann stunned Scotland with three wickets in the first over of the match. He castled George Munsey on the first ball, followed by dismissing Calum MacLeod and skipper Richie Berrington on third and fourth ball.

Trumpelmann joined the elusive list of taking three wickets in the opening over. Only Shoaib Akhtar, Yasir Arafat and Fidel Edwards have achieved the feat in T20 Cricket.

Later, David Wiese trapped Craig Wallace in front to reduce Scotland to 22/4 inside the powerplay.

Opener Matthew Cross and experienced Michael Leask provided recovery to Scotland until Jan Frylinck rattled Cross' stumps in the 12th over. Cross scored 19 off 33 balls.

Leask paired with Chris Greaves but the duo couldn't finish big for Scotland as Namibia struck after regular intervals. Leask was aggressive in his 27-ball 44 while Greaves made 25 off 32 balls.

Trumpelmann finished with figures of 3/17 while Frylinck was economical for his 2/10. JJ Smit and Wiese shared a wicket each.

 

A masterclass from Trumpelmann & Frylinck restricts Scotland to a 109/8 after 20 overs

Will they be able to chase this target down?

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Namibia were steady at the start of the chase but Scotland bagged dismissals at regular intervals to keep themselves alive. 

Safyaan Sharif removed Michael van Lingen for 18 while Chris Greaves tricked Zane Green for 9 with his googly.

Skipper Erasmus (4) was undone by Leask as he tried to drive towards covers. Craig Williams looked to anchor the innings but fell in the 13th over off Mark Watt. He scored 23 runs off 29 balls.

Meanwhile, Wiese and Smit dominated after Williams' dismissal and tried to ensure Namibia registered a comfortable win but Scotland made things interesting in the last overs with two consecutive dismissals. They eventually chased down the target on the first ball of the last over as Smit smacked a six to finish the proceedings. Wiese made 16 off 14 while Smit remained unbeaten on 32.

Leask was the pick of the bowlers for Scotland, picking two wickets for 12 in two overs.