PkRevenue.com – Scotland increased the pressure on Group B competitors by successfully chasing down 156 against Namibia in Bridgetown, Barbados, securing their first T20I victory over the African team. This win propels Scotland above Namibia in the ICC rankings, highlighting their determination and skill.
The Scots faced a challenging target of 156 but demonstrated remarkable resilience. Richie Berrington sealed the win with a six in the penultimate over, concluding a tense chase.
Despite the victory margin, the journey was far from smooth, as Scotland wavered at 73/4 after 11 overs. Berrington, with an unbeaten 47 off 35 balls, and Michael Leask, who smashed 35 off 17, guided Scotland to victory with nine balls to spare, showcasing their composure under pressure.
Namibia, having won the toss and opted to bat first, posted a competitive 155/9. Captain Gerhard Erasmus played a crucial role, scoring a powerful 52 off 31 balls before being stumped off Leask’s delivery.
Brad Wheal struck early for Scotland, dismissing JP Kotze for a duck before a run was scored. Brad Currie and Chris Sole continued the momentum, reducing Namibia to 73/4 by the 11th over.
Zane Green (28 off 27) and David Wiese (14 off 13) attempted to stabilize the innings, but Scotland’s disciplined bowling kept runs in check. Late contributions were scarce, with Erasmus being the only Namibian batsman showing fluency, helping his team reach 155/9.
Scotland’s chase began with early setbacks. George Munsey was dismissed for 7 off 15 balls, and the fall of Michael Jones for 26 off 20 balls left the team at 49/2 in the eighth over.
Namibia’s keeper, Zane Green, made a crucial play to dismiss Brandon McMullen, shifting the momentum in Namibia’s favor. When Matthew Cross was trapped LBW for 3 off 5 balls in the 11th over, Namibia seemed poised for an upset.
However, Berrington’s consecutive boundaries at the end of the 13th over revitalized Scotland’s innings. Leask joined the act, hitting a six in the following over to bring the team past the 100-run mark.
A 19-run flurry in the 17th over, which pushed the partnership beyond 50 runs, set Scotland firmly on course for victory. Although Leask was dismissed in the next over, Berrington ensured a smooth finish.
This win puts Scotland in a strong position to challenge Group B heavyweights Australia and England for a place in the second round. Namibia, with one win and one loss, previously claimed a dramatic Super Over victory against Oman.
Group B action continues on June 8, with Australia facing England in a highly anticipated showdown.
