In a Group A clash in Chennai on a good playing surface, Namibia has made a strong start in this chase of 200 runs. USA put on 199 on the board on the back of an unbeaten 68 from Sanjay Krishnamurthi and a half-century from captain Monank Patel with others contributing as well. In reply, Namibia have begun well although they lost a wicket in last over of powerplay, they are maintaining a good run rate. This could be a close one to call.
Namibia gets off to a solid start in powerplay.Â
Chasing 200 for the win, Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck opened the batting for Namibia while Ali Khan opened the bowling for USA. Steenkamp started with a boundary with a pull towards deep midwicket. Milind Kumar came to bowl the second over. Jan Frylinck played a straight drive down the ground for a boundary. Saurabh Netravalkar came into the attack next. Steenkamp took on Netravalkar and launched it away down the ground over wide long-on for the maximum.
Shadley van Schalkwyk came into the attack next. He bowled a good solid first over. Ali Khan returned to bowl another spell. Steenkamp drove the ball through the extra cover region for a boundary. Steenkamp cut it over backward point for a boundary. Wides were given by the bowler. Steenkamp took on Ali Khan and pulled it over deep square leg for the maximum.
Shadley continued to bowl the last over of powerplay and Frylinck took him on and launched it over wide long-on for the maximum. The 50 came up for Namibia in 5.1 overs. Shadley hit back and got rid of Frylinck for 19 off 15 balls with one four and one six to his name.
Shadley from around the wicket a length ball on the stumps that skidded on. Frylinck looked to pick it up and got it off the sticker of the back to the bowler who took the catch easily. Drinks was taken after which Nicol Loftie Eaton came out to bat next. He got off the mark soon. Namibia reached 57/1 in 6 overs with Steenkamp unbeaten on 32 off 19 balls and Loftie Eaton unbeaten on 2 off 2 balls.
Namibia drive home the momentum to leave the match in balance at the halfway stage of the game.Â
Mohsin came into the attack next after powerplay. Steenkamp cut the ball past the point fielder for a boundary. Eaton slogged the ball to deep midwicket as the fielder made a mess of it as the ball went away to the fence. Milind Kumar continued as Eaton backed away and lofted it over covers for a boundary. Harmeet Singh came into the attack next. Steenkamp took him on and played the slog sweep over midwicket for the maximum.
Milind Kumar came to bowl the 10th over of the innings as Eaton backed away and lofted it over the cover point fielder for a boundary. Loftie Eaton again showed innovation as he reverse swept it over the point fielder for a boundary. At the end of 10 overs, at the halfway stage of the game Namibia were 95/1 with Steenkamp unbeaten on 47 off 30 balls and Loftie Eaton unbeaten on 27 off 15 balls. The match was in the balance at the moment.
What Lies Ahead.Â
So, the match is now in the balance as chasing 200 runs for the win, Namibia has made a good beginning as they were 97/1 in 10 overs and now need 103 off 60 balls. They have 9 wickets in hand. Wickets in hand will be the key for Namibia as the USA will look to tighten the screws and build more pressure in the match. Namibia has to take the game deep. This match is in the balance.
Let’s see how the game and the chase pans out from here.
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