3rd T20I, Windhoek, October 27, 2023, 05:30 PM
Namibia
138/6(20.0ov)
Zimbabwe
144/4(18.4ov)
Zimbabwe beat Namibia by 6 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Sikandar Raza
Commentry
Right then, that is it from this game where Zimbabwe takes the lead in the series and are in the driving seat as they need just one more win to seal it in the last two games while Namibia needs to buckle up quickly and come back stronger in the next one. The 4th T20I will be played on 29th October, Sunday at 2.30 pm IST (9 am GMT), but you can join us early for all the build-up to the match. Cheers!
Sikandar Raza is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his solid half-century.
Earlier in the game, after electing to bat first, Namibia posted a somewhat fighting total on the board with contributions from Jan Frylinck, Jean-Pierre Kotze, and JJ Smit. For Zimbabwe, every bowler got a wicket each except Sikandar Raza while Luke Jongwe picked up a couple to cap off a fine bowling effort. The wicket was a bit tricky and the visitors lost early wickets as well but another excellent knock from their golden boy Sikandar Raza made sure that they got over the line.
Namibia, on the other hand, knew that they did not have a lot of runs to defend but they gave their all. Their bowlers tried their best and they didn't give up till the end. It's just that if their fielding and catching had been a bit better, things could have been more interesting. Ben Shikongo, Gerhard Erasmus, Jan Frylinck, and Handre Klazinga all chipped in with one wicket each but it just wasn't meant to be for them. They have now lost two in a row and will need to revisit their plans and come up with something different in the next game.
Zimbabwe lost Nick Welch in the very first over after he hit a couple of lusty blows but his partner Tinashe Kamunhukamwe along with Craig Ervine built a solid platform for the chase. Unfortunately, both of them got out at the wrong moment with the former scoring 36 runs. However, it was that man again, Sikandar Raza who stepped up for his team when they needed him and paced his innings beautifully and always kept the required rate in check. He registered another brilliant half-century but couldn't stay till the end as he departed trying to finish things off with a maximum. Ryan Burl supported him well from the other end and remained unbeaten on 15 while Wesley Madhevere got the job done with a massive hit.
ZIMBABWE GO 2-1 UP IN THE SERIES! A solid performance from them and they have completely outplayed their opponents in all three departments here and deserved to win the game. They will be eying to seal the series in the next game while the hosts need to win that one to stay alive in it.
In over# 19
6
0
2
2
Ben Shikongo 28/1(2.4)
18.4
6
Six! That is a lovely shot. The batter has just lofted this with fine timing and cleared the ropes too.
18.3
.
No run, the batter looks to play that but is comprehensively beaten.
18.2
2
2 runs, that is pulled away through mid wicket for a couple of runs.
18.1
2
2 runs, that is punched off the front foot for a couple.
In over# 18
1
0
0
0W
2
1
Handre Klazinga 17/1(2)
17.6
1
1 run, the batter comes forward and plays an off drive for a run.
17.5
.
No run, just a mere push. But no space for a run.
17.4
.
No run, that is guided away nicely but cannot get it past the fielder.
17.3
W
OUT! That is a spectacular diving catch.
17.2
2
2 runs, this one has been flicked off the back foot for two runs.
17.1
1
1 run, the batter comes forward and punches it through square leg for a single.
In over# 17
2
0
1
4
1
6
JJ Smit 27/0(3)