Namibia beat Oman comfortably by 54 runs in the Qualifying play-off to become the fourth team after Papua New Guinea, Ireland and Netherlands to seal a place in next year’s T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia.
Namibia posted a formidable total, thanks to 23-year-old JJ Smit’s swashbuckling half-century. Smit also picked up two wickets in the second innings with his medium pace but spinners Bernard Scholtz and Gerhard Erasmus were the stars with the ball as they finished with figures of 6-33 between them.
An early stutter and a stunning recovery from Namibia
Aamir Kaleem's stunning catch has helped Oman reduce Namibia to 69/4 after 12 overs.
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 29, 2019
Check out the catch and other wickets 👇 https://t.co/bba1BCjgEN
Opting to bat first, Namibia lost three wickets in the power play including one off the very first delivery of the innings. At the start of the 12th over, half the batting line-up had been dismissed including their star batsman and captain Gerhard Erasmus.
They were ultimately rescued by a remarkable knock from Smit. As Craig Williams held one end up, Smit smashed one of the fastest half-centuries in the tournament. He scored 59 off 25 deliveries while registering five maximums and three boundaries. Smit and Williams added 83 runs for the sixth wicket off just 41 balls.
Bilal Khan was the pick of the Oman bowlers, finishing with figures of four for 19.
Oman’s quick start followed by a quicker collapse
🚨 STAT ATTACK 🚨
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 29, 2019
Oman against Namibia's pace 57/1 off 6 overs
Oman against Namibia's spin 25/5 off 6.1 overs pic.twitter.com/nhRCOy74pa
Despite the tournament’s leading wicket-taker Jan Frylinck striking in the first over, Oman remained well ahead of the required rate at the end of the power play, scoring 57 runs. Opener Khawar Ali was in good nick, as he took full advantage of the field restrictions.
However, once the power play ended and the spinners were introduced, Oman lost their way completely in the chase. Leg-spinner Erasmus and left-arm spinner Scholtz bowled in tandem between the seventh and the fourteenth over, picking up six wickets in that period.
Apart from Ali, only two other batsmen reached double digits as Oman were bowled out for 107 in the final over of the match.
Oman’s rematch against Hong Kong
Oman have a shot at redemption when they play Hong Kong in Dubai on Wednesday. The winner of that game will take the final spot in the T20 World Cup next year. When the two teams met in the group stages of the tournament, Oman won the game comfortably with seven wickets to spare.
Meanwhile, Namibia who are through to their first ever Men’s T20 World Cup after five consecutive wins in the tournament, face Papua New Guinea in the semi-final.
Five games, five wins 🔥
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 29, 2019
Namibia have become the 14th team to qualify for Australia 2020!
Congratulations guys 👏 pic.twitter.com/z23fnkTDAO
