Zimbabwe beat Namibia in Kimberley on the back of a good all-round performance. The win ensured their place ahead of Namibia in the Super Six stage of the U19 Men’s CWC.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers stepped up in the big game after they opted to bowl. Kohl Eksteen struck early on with the wicket of Johannes de Villiers, but Namibia made a cautious start to deny further wickets in the Powerplay.
Left-arm quick Newman Nyamhuri dented Namibia with two strikes in quick succession as they slipped to 49/3 with the run-rate under three runs per over.
Skipper Alexander Volschenk tried to up the ante but Nyamhuri struck at the other end with the big wicket of Zacheo van Vuuren. Left-arm spinner Ryan Simbi’s second spell proved to be too hot for the Namibian batters.
Simbi trapped Ben Brassell in front and then cleaned up Volschenk to put Zimbabwe right on top. He added a third in his ninth over as Namibia lost their seventh with the score still in double digits.
Hanro Badenhorst played a watchful hand from No.10, making a 76-ball unbeaten 39 with support from the tailenders as Namibia ground their way to 146 in 50 overs.
Zimbabwe needed a win to qualify, and Panashe Taruvinga did not take any risks on a surface that had thrown up some low-scoring games in the tournament.
Despite losing his opening partner Ryan Kamwemba early, Taruvinga’s cautious approach ensured that there was no slip-up. Brendon Sunguro offered solid company from the other end and the duo made a century stand to all but win the game for Zimbabwe.
Sunguro fell soon after for 29 but Taruvinga remained unbeaten on 49 as Zimbabwe completed the win with 17 overs and eight wickets to spare.
They will head to the Super Six stage with Australia and Sri Lanka from Group C.
Newman Nyamhuri, whose four-wicket haul won him the Player of the Match award, was chuffed about his bowling.
“I think the surface was really soft and I was using that to my advantage. I was hitting the deck hard and trying to impart more pace to my bowling. The coach asked me to use my pace to my advantage and I did it.”
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