ZIMBABWE put on another strong display in Bulawayo, defeating Namibia by five wickets to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series at Queens Sports Club yesterday.
After winning the toss and choosing to field, Zimbabwe restricted Namibia to 169 for six in their 20 overs.
Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton played the standout innings for Namibia, smashing 47 off 30 balls, including two fours and three sixes.
Malan Kruger gave good support with 45 from 44 deliveries, while captain Gerhard Erasmus struck 37 from 25 balls, including three fours and two sixes.
Jan Frylinck had got the innings moving with 22 off 11 balls at the top, but wickets at key moments slowed the momentum.
Richard Ngarava was the pick of Zimbabwe’s bowlers with two wickets for 25 runs, removing Frylinck early and later dismissing Erasmus.
Brad Evans also picked up two wickets for 25, while Tinotenda Maposa and Sikandar Raza claimed one each.
Namibia looked well set at 130 for two in the 16th over, but managed just 39 runs in the final four overs, losing four wickets in the process.
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In reply, Zimbabwe’s chase was powered by a blazing opening stand.
Brian Bennett smashed 40 off 20 balls, hitting six fours and a six, while Tadiwanashe Marumani played a composed innings of 50 from 36 balls.
The pair piled on 59 runs in the first six overs before Bennett fell to Ruben Trumpelmann.
Marumani carried on to reach his half-century, clearing the ropes three times before being dismissed with the score on 115.
Brendan Taylor added 29 runs before being run out, and captain Sikandar Raza managed only three.
But Ryan Burl’s unbeaten 24 from 13 balls, together with Tashinga Musekiwa’s nine not out, ensured Zimbabwe crossed the line with 11 balls to spare.
Johannes Smit was Namibia’s most effective bowler, finishing with two wickets for 38, while Trumpelmann and Bernard Scholtz claimed one apiece.
