Zimbabwe have won the 5th T20 of Tri-series from Namibia by 5 wickets and 11 balls to spare from the innings. Zimbabwe kept their Tri-Series campaign alive with a comfortable victory over Namibia.
The win completed a second success over the hosts in the competition. It also keeps Zimbabwe in contention for a place in the final. However, their qualification hopes will now depend on the result of the final league match.
Zimbabwe made the pursuit look easy for most of the innings. Ben Curran departed early. However, Brian Bennett and Innocent Kaia quickly took control. The pair attacked the bowling and pushed Zimbabwe to 59/1 by the end of the Powerplay.
Their partnership produced 61 runs and gave Zimbabwe a strong platform in the 5th T20 of Tri-series against Namibia. Kaia then continued the momentum with Sikandar Raza. The duo added another 54 runs and moved Zimbabwe firmly ahead in the chase. Kaia completed a well-earned half-century. He could not finish the job, but the damage had already been done.
Namibia needed regular wickets to make the contest competitive. JJ Smit gave them an early breakthrough. Yet, the hosts could not maintain the pressure. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton eventually broke the first major stand. Namibia still needed a quick succession of wickets. For a brief period, that possibility appeared.
Jack Brassell removed Kaia. Then Ruben Trumpelmann struck twice in two deliveries. Those wickets gave Namibia some hope. Nevertheless, Zimbabwe had already created too much of a cushion. With the target within reach, Zimbabwe avoided any late drama.
Ryan Burl and Tadiwanashe Marumani handled the situation calmly. They rotated the strike and found the necessary runs. As a result, Zimbabwe completed a convincing chase in 5th T20 of Tri-series without allowing Namibia back into the contest. The victory gives Zimbabwe another major boost in the Tri-Series.
They have now beaten Namibia twice. More importantly, they remain firmly in the race for the final. Their next step depends on the outcome of the last league fixture. Namibia, meanwhile, face a must-win situation against South Africa.
The hosts will need a much stronger performance. They must also rediscover the confidence they showed when they stunned the Proteas in the opening game. For now, Zimbabwe can celebrate a dominant win and wait to see how the final league match shapes the race for the title.