Ryan Burl and Brad Evans starred as Zimbabwe defended 195 to secure their first win of the ongoing T20I tri-series.
Zimbabwe beat Namibia by five runs in a thrilling third match of the T20I tri-series at the Namibia Cricket Ground on Monday, with Ryan Burl and Brad Evans producing decisive performances.
Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus opted to field after winning the toss, but the decision failed to produce the desired result as Zimbabwe posted 195/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
The visitors made an explosive start, with Brian Bennett and Ben Curran combining for 64 runs during the powerplay. Bennett scored 32 from 21 balls, striking six fours, before his dismissal on the final delivery of the powerplay.
Curran continued the momentum and made 38, but Zimbabwe then suffered a dramatic collapse, losing four more wickets to fall to 101/6 after 12 overs.
Burl revived the innings after arriving at No. 5 and formed a crucial partnership with Evans. The pair added an unbeaten 94 runs for the seventh wicket, allowing Zimbabwe to finish strongly.
Burl top-scored with an unbeaten 57 from 32 deliveries, hitting six fours and a six. Evans provided valuable support with a quick 34 from 24 balls, including two sixes and two other boundaries.
Erasmus was Namibia’s leading bowler, claiming 3/46 in four overs, while Bernard Scholtz, JJ Smit and Max Heingo picked up one wicket each.
Namibia Fall Just Short
Chasing 196, Namibia appeared to be out of the contest at 76/6 after 12 overs. However, Zane Green and Alexander Busing-Volschenk produced a remarkable 110-run seventh-wicket partnership to put the hosts within reach of victory.
Their stand reduced the target to just 16 runs from the final over, setting up a dramatic finish.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza handed the ball to Evans, who began the over with a no-ball. Namibia added two runs from the next delivery, bringing Busing-Volschenk to his half-century.
Raza then produced a crucial direct hit to run out Green for 54 off 26 balls. Busing-Volschenk followed with a boundary before Evans dismissed him caught behind for a superb 56 off 29 deliveries.
Scholtz was subsequently run out before Evans bowled Brassell on the final delivery to complete Zimbabwe’s five-run victory.
Evans was named Player of the Match after contributing 34 unbeaten runs and taking three wickets, including two in the decisive final over.
The result marked Zimbabwe’s first victory of the tri-series. Despite earning two points, they remained third due to an inferior net run rate compared with Namibia and South Africa.