Namibia vs South Africa Only T20I: Highlights from Windhoek

That's a wrap on this thrilling one-off T20I, and Namibia has pulled off a historic victory. Next up for South Africa is the Test series against Pakistan, kicking off in less than 24 hours from now, and none of today's players are part of the Proteas Test squad. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world by just switching tabs. Until next time, Cheers.

Ruben Trumpelmann wins the PLAYER OF THE MATCH AWARD. He says that the win is truly special and to get in front of their fans and at their home ground. Adds that they bowled good lengths and forced them to make errors. Closes by sharing that keeping South Africa to 134 was a good effort from the boys.

Gerhard Erasmus, the Namibia skipper, says it's a special feeling for the players and the crowd alike. He mentions they'll be aiming for consistent performances like this and will look to replicate such results against top-quality teams in the future too. He believes this win might just inspire young kids to pick up a bat and start playing cricket for the nation.

Donovan Ferreira, the South Africa skipper, says this isn't the outcome they wanted, but gives credit to Namibia for their great play. He points out they didn't put up a big enough score and had some soft dismissals, which hurt them, but they'll take away learnings from this game.

Stay tuned for the presentation...

Earlier, South Africa were restricted to 134/8 on a difficult batting surface, thanks to Namibia's effective bowling and sharp ground fielding, barring two dropped catches. Quinton de Kock's international comeback wasn't the best as he got out for just 1. Namibia's bowlers chipped in with wickets as Ruben Trumpelmann took 3 wickets, Max Heingo took 2 wickets, and Gerhard Erasmus, Ben Shikongo, and JJ Smit took one wicket each. For South Africa, Jason Smith and Bjorn Fortuin showed some resistance with 31 and 19, respectively. Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Rubin Hermann got starts but failed to make them count big.

The bowlers gave it their all despite having a tough total to defend. The injury to Gerald Coetzee didn't help the Proteas either as he could only bowl 9 legal deliveries. Andile Simelane took a couple of wickets and Nandre Burger was the standout, taking a couple too. Bjorn Fortuin also picked up one wicket.

Chasing down a modest total on a challenging track, Namibia had a reasonable start. They were 51 for 3 after 7 overs and were doing enough to keep them in contention. Once Malan Kruger was dismissed at 101 in the 17th over, the side needed someone to step up and indeed Zane Green and Ruben Trumpelmann did that. A match-winning partnership of 37 in just 21 balls helped Namibia create history and win over South Africa.

What a fantastic inauguration this ground has witnessed as the Namibian players have gifted their fans a thrilling win over mighty South Africa by 4 wickets in this T20I. Two weeks ago, Nepal triumphed over the West Indies, and today Namibia has emerged victorious against mighty South Africa, showcasing that associate cricket is soaring with these stunning upsets, highlighting the growing strength in the associates.

19.6: Andile Simelane to Zane Green, FOUR! NAMIBIA BEAT SOUTH AFRICA! Andile Simelane goes for a yorker, misses his length, and Zane Green converts this into a full toss and slogs this up and over the fielder at mid-wicket for a boundary to wrap this game up. Namibia has won by 4 wickets.

19.5: Andile Simelane to Zane Green, ANTICLIMAX! A dot as Zane Green feels the pressure and misses out on a fuller on looking to hoic it away rather than just finding the gap to seal the game.

19.4: Andile Simelane to Ruben Trumpelmann, On a length around middle and leg, Ruben Trumpelmann flicks this to the cow corner and takes a single to level the scores.

19.3: Andile Simelane to Ruben Trumpelmann, On a good length around off, Ruben Trumpelmann smashes this towards deep point for two here. Just 2 more needed for Namibia.

19.2: Andile Simelane to Zane Green, A single to follow the biggie as Zane Green flicks a length delivery towards deep mid-wicket for one. Could Zane and Ruben have missed out on the second here as the fielder fumbled while collecting it? Will it cost them? Let's find out.

19.1: Andile Simelane to Zane Green, SIX! IT HAS GONE OVER THE FENCE! A perfect start for Namibia as Zane Green clears the fence. The field was set for a short one and Andile Simelane bowled it too but it was angling down the leg, Zane Green shuffles across and hooks this over the fence towards the fine leg region for a biggie.

Andile Simelane will bowl the final over. 11 needed for Namibia to get a historic win over South Africa.

18.6: Lizaad Williams to Zane Green, Hits the hard length on off, Zane Green pumps this away for one.

18.5: Lizaad Williams to Zane Green, On a length, but down the leg, Zane Green tickles this fine towards the left of fine leg and runs third couple of the over already.

18.4: Lizaad Williams to Zane Green, Good length on the pads, Zane Green gently tucks this through the mid-wicket region and takes a couple more. 14 more needed off the final 8 balls.

18.3: Lizaad Williams to Zane Green, Heaved in the deep on off for two. On a length, going across the batter. Zane Green shimmies down and swings at it, gets a leading edge towards deep third for two.

18.3: Lizaad Williams to Zane Green, WIDE! Effort delivery from Lizaad Williams goes a bit too high over the batter. Wided.

18.2: Lizaad Williams to Zane Green, Back of a length on off, Zane Green punches this to cover for no run.

18.1: Lizaad Williams to Zane Green, FOUR! A boundary to greet Lizaad Williams and the crowd is up on its feet again. Good length wide of off, Zane Green strides to the pitch of this one and drives this crisply through the cove region for four runs. 

17.6: Bjorn Fortuin to Ruben Trumpelmann, How has that missed the stumps? Fired around the pads, Ruben Trumpelmann clears his front leg and goes for a slog sweep but misses out. The ball goes past the leg-pole marginally as the keeper collects it.

17.5: Bjorn Fortuin to Ruben Trumpelmann, Darted on middle and off, Ruben Trumpelmann drills this to cow corner and takes two here.

17.4: Bjorn Fortuin to Zane Green, Tossed up around off, Zane Green drives this to sweeper cover for a single. 

17.3: Bjorn Fortuin to Ruben Trumpelmann, Fuller on off, Ruben Trumpelmann rolls this through mid on for one.

17.2: Bjorn Fortuin to Ruben Trumpelmann, FOUR! Floated onto the pads, Ruben Trumpelmann leans over it and flicks this fine and to the fence for four runs behind the stumps. We are heading towards a really close finish to this contest.

17.1: Bjorn Fortuin to Zane Green, Tossed up on the pads, Zane Green sweeps this to long leg for one.

32 more needed for Namibia off the last 3 overs to win this one.

16.6: Nandre Burger to Zane Green, Good length around off, Zane Green punches this to deep point for a single. 

16.5: Nandre Burger to Ruben Trumpelmann, Short-pitched wide of off, Ruben Trumpelmann pulls this flat through square leg for one.

16.4: Nandre Burger to Ruben Trumpelmann, Back of a length on off, Ruben Trumpelmann thumps this back to the bowler.

16.3: Nandre Burger to Malan Kruger, OUT! CAUGHT! Slower one, wide outside off, Malan Kruger looks to loft this inside out over cover but the bat swings early and the ball arrives a bit late. Malan Kruger gets it away from the upper half of his bat straight over Nqabayomzi Peter at cover for a regulation catch. 

16.2: Nandre Burger to Malan Kruger, Not the best of connections with the bat but gets a double. On a length around off, Malan Kruger lofts this off the bottom of his bat up and over cover for two.

16.1: Nandre Burger to Malan Kruger, Short and wide of off, Malan Kruger swings at it after dancing down the track but misses out.

15.6: Bjorn Fortuin to Zane Green, Seam up, around leg, Zane Green goes for the reverse sweep but misses out with the bat. Gets thud on his front pad. A polite appeal from the fielding outfit but the umpire turns this down quickly.

15.5: Bjorn Fortuin to Malan Kruger, LEG BYE! Slider on middle and leg, going down the leg, Malan Kruger misses out on the flick and the ball deflects off his pads to third man region for one.

15.4: Bjorn Fortuin to Malan Kruger, SIX! ENORMOUS! Fuller on middle and off, Malan Kruger puts on the dancing shoes, jumps down the track and smashes this up and over the fence towards the cover region for a huge six.

15.3: Bjorn Fortuin to Malan Kruger, Saw the shimmy down the track from the batter and Bjorn Fortuin was clever enough to fire in on his pads. Malan Kruger thumps this back to the bowler.

15.2: Bjorn Fortuin to Zane Green, Tossed up on the pads, Zane Green flicks this to deep mid-wicket for one.

15.1: Bjorn Fortuin to Zane Green, A straight one, around off, Zane Green goes for the reverse sweep but misses out.

14.6: Lizaad Williams to Malan Kruger, Fuller on off, Malan Kruger drives this well but once again finds the fielder.

14.5: Lizaad Williams to Zane Green, Back of a length on the pads, Zane Green tucks this through square leg and runs one.

14.4: Lizaad Williams to Zane Green, On a length around off, Zane Green pushes this to mid on for another dot. It has been a tidy over so far from Lizaad Williams.

14.3: Lizaad Williams to Malan Kruger, Back of a length on middle and leg, Malan Kruger nudges this through mid-wicket for one.

14.2: Lizaad Williams to Malan Kruger, Good length on off, Malan Kruger times this well but finds the fielder.

14.1: Lizaad Williams to Malan Kruger, Hits the hard length on off, Malan Kruger pushes this to mid on for a dot.

13.6: Donovan Ferreira to Malan Kruger, Quicker on in the line of the sticks, Malan Kruger drills this to long on for one.

13.5: Donovan Ferreira to Zane Green, Tossed up around off, Zane Green drives this to long off for one.

13.4: Donovan Ferreira to Zane Green, Quicker one around off, Zane Green pushes this back to the bowler.

13.3: Donovan Ferreira to Malan Kruger, Fired in on off, Malan Kruger punches this down to long off for one.

13.2: Donovan Ferreira to Zane Green, Fuller on middle and off, Zane Green flicks this through mid-wicket and takes one.

13.1: Donovan Ferreira to Zane Green, Fuller on off, Zane Green blocks this out.

12.6: Andile Simelane to Zane Green, Short-pitched to start with from Andile Simelane to Zane and he mistimes the pull through square leg for one.

Zane Green is the next batter out to bat.

12.5: Andile Simelane to JJ Smit, OUT! CAUGHT! Back of a length on middle and leg, JJ Smit aims for the stands and slogs at it. The ball doesn't get the desired elevation and is smashed straight to Jason Smith at the deep mid-wicket fence for his dismissal. 

12.4: Andile Simelane to Malan Kruger, Back of a length on off, Malan Kruger punches this off his back foot straight to short cover. The fielder fluffs his lines as he dives towards it and drops this one. Single taken.

12.3: Andile Simelane to JJ Smit, Full and wide of off, JJ Smit slices this to deep third for one.

12.2: Andile Simelane to Malan Kruger, On a length around middle and leg, Malan Kruger nudges this through mid-wicket for one.

12.1: Andile Simelane to JJ Smit, Good length on the pads, JJ Smit flicks this through square leg for a single. 

11.6: Donovan Ferreira to JJ Smit, Pushed through on off, JJ Smit drills this down the ground for one.

11.5: Donovan Ferreira to Malan Kruger, Tossed up wide of off, Malan Kruger drives this to sweeper cover for one.

11.4: Donovan Ferreira to JJ Smit, Fuller on leg, JJ Smit flicks this to deep mid-wicket for one.

11.3: Donovan Ferreira to JJ Smit, FOUR! STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW! Tossed up on off, JJ Smit gives it a proper smash down the ground towards the sight screen for a crisply hit boundary.

11.2: Donovan Ferreira to Malan Kruger, Quicker one, on middle and off, Malan Kruger flicks this to deep mid-wicket for one.

11.1: Donovan Ferreira to JJ Smit, Fuller on the pads, JJ Smit rolls this to long on for one.

10.6: Andile Simelane to JJ Smit, Back of a length on off, JJ Smit flicks this through square leg and takes one.

10.5: Andile Simelane to Malan Kruger, On a length around middle and leg, Malan Kruger flicks this to deep mid-wicket for one.

10.4: Andile Simelane to JJ Smit, Good length on middle and leg, JJ Smit flicks this through square leg for one.

10.3: Andile Simelane to Malan Kruger, Short-pitched, around off, Malan Kruger fends this to deep square leg for one.

10.2: Andile Simelane to Malan Kruger, On a length around middle and leg, Malan Kruger flicks this to square leg.

10.1: Andile Simelane to Malan Kruger, Good length on off, Malan Kruger punches this back to the fielder.

9.6: Bjorn Fortuin to JJ Smit, Full and at the stumps. Smit blocks it forward.

9.5: Bjorn Fortuin to Malan Kruger, Fuller than good length angling at the pads.  Kruger looks to nudge but closes his bat face early and it goes to cover off his bat for one.

Malan Kruger is in next.

9.4: Bjorn Fortuin to Gerhard Erasmus, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Fortuin gets the Namibian skipper! Tosses it full, on the middle and leg stump line. Erasmus tries to work it across the line but gets a leading edge toward the bowler, who comes forward and takes a good low catch. The hosts are four down.

9.3: Bjorn Fortuin to JJ Smit, LEG BYE!  A full delivery at the middle. Smit looks to defend it but it goes off his pads towards cover. The cover fielder attempts a direct hit at the bowler's end but overthrows and allows a run.

9.2: Bjorn Fortuin to Gerhard Erasmus, Flatter arm ball, on the middle. Erasmus stays back and dabs it toward point. Smit was halfway down for the run but Erasmus sends him back. An overthrow eventually allows them to take one.

9.1: Bjorn Fortuin to JJ Smit, Flatter on the middle and leg. Smit knocks it down to long-on for one.

9.1: Bjorn Fortuin to Gerhard Erasmus, TWO WIDES! Fuller and quicker, angling down the leg. Erasmus plays and misses. A fumble from de Kock, allows it to go toward short fine leg for an extra run.

8.6: Nandre Burger to Gerhard Erasmus, Short of a length, angling in on off. Pulled to deep square leg for one.

8.5: Nandre Burger to Gerhard Erasmus, Sharp bumper, on the middle and leg stump line. Erasmus sits under it and lets it go.

8.4: Nandre Burger to Gerhard Erasmus, Fuller than a good length and just outside off. Erasmus stays deep in the crease and mistimes the drive into the off-side.

8.3: Nandre Burger to JJ Smit, Fuller in length, on off. Smit on-drives it toward wide of mid-on and takes a single.

8.2: Nandre Burger to Gerhard Erasmus, On a length, on off. Erasmus uses the pace and runs it down to deep third for a single.

8.1: Nandre Burger to Gerhard Erasmus, Short of a good length, attacking the stumps. Erasmus stabs it toward point.

7.6: Bjorn Fortuin to JJ Smit, Fuller and quicker on off. Smit gets his bat down and defends into the off-side.

7.5: Bjorn Fortuin to Gerhard Erasmus, Flighted on a length, on off. Erasmus taps it toward point and takes a single.

7.4: Bjorn Fortuin to Gerhard Erasmus, Tossed up on the middle and leg. Erasmus flicks it through mid-wicket and gets back for the second.

7.3: Bjorn Fortuin to Gerhard Erasmus, Flatter and spins away sharply, around off. Erasmus looks to cut but is beaten by the turn and bounce.

7.2: Bjorn Fortuin to Gerhard Erasmus, FOUR! FINDS THE GAP! Shortish and outside off. Erasmus stays back and cuts it late, past the man at short third for a nicely placed boundary.

7.1: Bjorn Fortuin to Gerhard Erasmus, Flatter arm ball, on the middle. Erasmus dabs it toward point for no run.

JJ Smit comes in at number 5. Bjorn Fortuin gets the ball now for South Africa.

6.6: Andile Simelane to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, OUT! GONE! SHARP CATCH! Simelane strikes! Short ball, outside off. Loftie-Eaton tries to go uppish and over the deep third region. The ball goes toward the deep backward point region. Lizaad Williams comes running in from the ropes and takes a good diving catch. Namibia lose their third.

6.5: Andile Simelane to Gerhard Erasmus, Pitched full, on off. Erasmus eases it down to long-on for one.

6.4: Andile Simelane to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Back of a length on off. Tapped in the gap at point for one.

6.3: Andile Simelane to Gerhard Erasmus, On a length, around off. Erasmus dabs it down to deep third region for one.

6.2: Andile Simelane to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Short of a good length, around off. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton shimmies down and slaps it to deep cover for one.

6.1: Andile Simelane to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Back of a length, on the middle. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton is behind the line and dabs it toward backward point.

6.1: Andile Simelane to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, WIDE! On a length and angling down the leg. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton plays and misses. Wide to start the over.

Andile Simelane comes on now.

5.6: Donovan Ferreira to Gerhard Erasmus, FOUR! CLEVER BATTING! Flatter and quicker, around off. Gerhard Erasmus stays back and guides it through the backward point region for a boundary to end the Powerplay.

5.5: Donovan Ferreira to Gerhard Erasmus, Tossed up full, on off. Gerhard Erasmus lifts it on the bounce to mid-off.

5.4: Donovan Ferreira to Gerhard Erasmus, Flatter and quicker, just outside off. Erasmus dabs it to short third.

Halt. Gerald Coetzee is struggling with his finger and is going off the field. Donovan Ferreira will finish the over.

5.3: Gerald Coetzee to Gerhard Erasmus, Sharp short of a length delivery, just outside off. Erasmus sways out of the line and lets it go. 

5.3: Gerald Coetzee to Gerhard Erasmus, WIDE! Coetzee has lost his radar here. Bowls it short of a good length and down the leg again. Erasmus looks to tickle it down to fine leg but does not connect. Wide given.

5.3: Gerald Coetzee to Gerhard Erasmus, WIDE! Back of a length and pushed down the leg side. Erasmus looks to tuck but misses. A third wide in the over.

5.3: Gerald Coetzee to Gerhard Erasmus, WIDE! Good length delivery angling down the leg. Erasmus plays and misses. Another wide.

5.2: Gerald Coetzee to Gerhard Erasmus, FOUR! NICELY DONE! Back of a length delivery on off. Erasmus gets on top of the bounce and steers it toward the deep third region for a well timed boundary.

5.1: Gerald Coetzee to Gerhard Erasmus, Short of a good length, at the stumps. Erasmus gets behind the line and turns into the short mid-wicket region.

5.1: Gerald Coetzee to Gerhard Erasmus, WIDE! Back of a length delivery, angling down the leg. Erasmus plays and misses. Wide given.

4.6: Lizaad Williams to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Short of a length delivery, does not bounce as much, on the middle stump line. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton looks to pull and misses, wears on the body.

4.5: Lizaad Williams to Gerhard Erasmus, Back of a length again, on the middle and leg. Erasmus tucks it toward square leg and charges for a quick single.

4.4: Lizaad Williams to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Back of a length delivery on the middle. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton pulls it to deep backward square leg for one.

4.3: Lizaad Williams to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, FOUR! THAT IS A HIT-ME BALL! Short of a length and down the leg. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton gets inside the line and helps the pull to fine leg for four easy runs.

4.2: Lizaad Williams to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Full-length delivery outside off. Loftie-Eaton tries to squeeze through covers but misses.

4.1: Lizaad Williams to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Back of a length delivery, at the stumps. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton gets behind it and dabs it toward backward point.

Gerhard Erasmus walks in at number 4.

3.6: Gerald Coetzee to Louren Steenkamp, OUT! BOWLED'EM! COETZEE GETS HIS MAN! Good length delivery, attacking the middle and leg stump line. Steenkamp is late on the pull, the ball goes onto disturb the stumps, and both the Namibian openers are gone now.

3.5: Gerald Coetzee to Louren Steenkamp, Pitched full, around off. Steenkamp makes room and toe-ends the drive through extra cover for a couple.

3.4: Gerald Coetzee to Louren Steenkamp, Sharp short ball, on the middle stump line. Steenkamp looks to hook but is rushed for pace. Three dots after the boundary.

3.3: Gerald Coetzee to Louren Steenkamp, Skiddy, hard length delivery, at the stumps. Louren Steenkamp gets squared and defends it to point.

3.2: Gerald Coetzee to Louren Steenkamp, Short of a good length and moves away around off. Louren Steenkamp has a poke at it and gets beaten.

3.1: Gerald Coetzee to Louren Steenkamp, FOUR! TOO EASY! Good length delivery on the leg. Louren Steenkamp clips it through the mid-wicket region and finds the ropes in a flash.

Gerald Coetzee comes into the attack. 

2.6: Nandre Burger to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Back of a length, at the stumps. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton defends from the crease.

2.5: Nandre Burger to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Short of a good length and seams away to go past the outside edge of Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton.

Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton walks in at number 3.

2.4: Nandre Burger to Jan Frylinck, OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! BURGER STRIKES! On a hard length, attacking the stumps. Frylinck makes room and looks to thrash through covers, he misses and the ball goes onto hit the timber. Namibia lose their first wicket.

2.3: Nandre Burger to Louren Steenkamp, Short of a good length,on off. Steenkamp looks to pull but gets the top edge that flies down to the deep third region for a single.

2.3: Nandre Burger to Louren Steenkamp, NO BALL! On a length and pushed across the batter. Steenkamp looks to drive and misses. No Ball signaled. Free hit coming up.

2.2: Nandre Burger to Jan Frylinck, Fuller than a length, on the middle and leg. Frylinck works it through the wide mid-on region and trickles toward the boundary before Ferreira chases it down and saves one.

2.1: Nandre Burger to Jan Frylinck, FOUR! TOP SHOT! Back of a length delivery on off. Frylinck gets on top of the bounce and punches it through the cover point region for an elegant boundary.

1.6: Lizaad Williams to Louren Steenkamp, Short of a good length, on the middle. Steenkamp shimmies down and lofts it over the bowler, down the ground for a couple.

1.5: Lizaad Williams to Jan Frylinck, LEG BYE! Back of a length on the hip. Frylinck tucks it down to fine leg for one leg bye.

1.4: Lizaad Williams to Jan Frylinck, FOUR LEG BYES! TOO EASY! On a length and on the pad. Frylinck tickles it off the pad to fine leg for four leg byes.

1.3: Lizaad Williams to Louren Steenkamp, Skiddy back of a length delivery, around off. Dabbed down to deep third for a single by Steenkamp.

1.2: Lizaad Williams to Louren Steenkamp, Back of a length, angled into the middle and goes over the stumps. Steenkamp pulls and misses again.

1.1: Lizaad Williams to Louren Steenkamp, Short of a good length, skiddy delivery, around off. Steenkamp looks to dab it down to third man region but misses.

Lizaad Williams will share the attack.

0.6: Nandre Burger to Louren Steenkamp, Back of a length delivery on the middle and leg. Steenkamp pulls it to deep square leg and settles for one. 

0.5: Nandre Burger to Louren Steenkamp, Pitched full, on off. Steenkamp gently drives it to mid-off.

0.4: Nandre Burger to Louren Steenkamp, Short of a good length and pushes across the batter. Steenkamp plays and misses.

0.4: Nandre Burger to Louren Steenkamp, WIDE! Fuller than a length and down the leg. Steenkamp plays and misses. Wide signaled.

0.3: Nandre Burger to Louren Steenkamp, Back of a length delivery, around off. Steenkamp swings and misses. Fails to make the most of the free hit.

0.3: Nandre Burger to Louren Steenkamp, NO BALL! In the air and gone, but this is a NO BALL. Oh my word! Banged in short, on off. Steenkamp is rushed for pace and gets the top edge to the keeper, who takes the catch. An overthrow allows a couple of bonus runs. Free hit coming up.

0.2: Nandre Burger to Louren Steenkamp, Short of a good length, just outside off, and it zips away past the outside edge of Steemkamp.

0.1: Nandre Burger to Louren Steenkamp, Good length delivery on off. Louren Steenkamp defends from the crease.

The stage is set for the chase to begin. The Namibian openers, Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck, are in the middle, and the South African fielders are positioned. Nandre Burger will bowl the first over for South Africa in this run-chase.

…THE RUN CHASE… 

Chasing 135, Namibia will need a disciplined and confident batting display against a potent South African bowling lineup to pull off a memorable win. As for the Proteas, they’ll back their bowlers to defend this modest total. So, who’s your pick at the halfway mark? Stick with us, the second innings promises to be a thrilling watch!

Namibia impressed with the ball and were even sharper in the field, pulling off some outstanding catches. Ruben Trumpelmann led the bowling attack with figures of 3/28, while Max Heingo, JJ Smit, Ben Shikongo, and Gerald Erasmus all chipped in with key wickets. Special credit goes to Bernard Scholtz, who, despite going wicketless, maintained remarkable control with an economy rate of just four runs per over.  

Opting to bat first on a tricky surface, South Africa huffed and puffed their way to a fighting 134/8 in 20 overs. The visitors were on the back foot early, losing Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks inside the Powerplay. A stabilizing partnership between Lhuan-dre Pretorius (22) and Rubin Hermann (23) offered some resistance, but neither could convert their starts into a substantial score. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, stalling any hopes of a big total. Jason Smith provided a crucial boost with a well-made 31, while a couple of late boundaries from Gerald Coetzee helped nudge the total past the 130-mark, giving South Africa something to bowl at.

19.6: JJ Smit to Gerald Coetzee, OUT! CAUGHT! A wicket to end the Proteas' inning and Namibia would be delighted with their bowling effort as they have restricted SA to 134. On a length around off, Gerald Coetzee looks to smash this inside out but gets it off the bottom towards sweeper cover. Louren Steenkamp runs in from the fence and takes this nice and clean.

19.5: JJ Smit to Bjorn Fortuin, Good length on off, Bjorn Fortuin milks this through mid-wicket for one.

19.4: JJ Smit to Bjorn Fortuin, On a length wide of off, Bjorn Fortuin looks to play the reverse sweep at it but misses out.

19.3: JJ Smit to Gerald Coetzee, Short and wide outside off, Gerald Coetzee swings at it, gets it toe poked towards third man region for one.

19.2: JJ Smit to Gerald Coetzee, FOUR! Streaky for Gerald Coetzee. On a length around middle and leg, Gerald Coetzee goes for a mighty heave and gets an inside edge on his one. The ball flies past his leg-pole and races away to the fine leg fence for four runs. 

19.1: JJ Smit to Gerald Coetzee, Good length on middle and off, Gerald Coetzee tucks this through mid-wicket for two.

18.6: Ruben Trumpelmann to Bjorn Fortuin, On a length around off, Bjorn Fortuin goes for a slog but gets it off the toe end and the ball spoons over long off. JJ Smit runs in front and attempts to grab this but goes with hard hands at it and the ball pops out. A couple taken. 

18.5: Ruben Trumpelmann to Gerald Coetzee, On a length around off, Gerald Coetzee rolls this to long off for a single. 

18.4: Ruben Trumpelmann to Gerald Coetzee, FOUR! Back of a length around off, Gerald Coetzee jumps down the track and smashes this through the cover region for a boundary. Gerald Coetzee will need a few more of these.

18.3: Ruben Trumpelmann to Jason Smith, OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! ON a length, around off, Jason Smith, without any footwork, swings at it, hits this straight to the fielder at long off. JJ Smit, patrolling the long off fence, runs in front and grabs hold of it. 

18.2: Ruben Trumpelmann to Jason Smith, Hits the hard length again, on middle and leg. Jason Smith clears his front foot and goes for the slog but misses out and gets hit on the thigh pad.

18.1: Ruben Trumpelmann to Bjorn Fortuin, Short one on middle and off, Bjorn Fortuin pulls this to deep square for one.

17.6: Max Heingo to Bjorn Fortuin, Good length on middle and leg, Bjorn Fortuin rolls this to long on for another single. Yes the scorecard is ticking but the boundaries have dried up.

17.6: Max Heingo to Bjorn Fortuin, WIDE! Full and wide outside off, Bjorn Fortuin leaves it. Wided.

17.5: Max Heingo to Jason Smith, Good length around off, Jason Smith heaves at it and gets it off the inside towards mid-wicket for one.

17.4: Max Heingo to Bjorn Fortuin, On a length around off, Bjorn Fortuin flicks this to long on for one.

17.3: Max Heingo to Jason Smith, In the air and dropped. Jason Smith has been dropped in the deep at long on for 29. Short and wide of off, Jason Smith drags this with a pull to the fielder at long on but he drops it an the batters complete a single. 

17.2: Max Heingo to Bjorn Fortuin, Hits the hard length on leg, Bjorn Fortuin jumps down the track and rolls this down to long on for one.

17.1: Max Heingo to Jason Smith, Back of a length around off, Jason Smith punches this off his back foot for one to mid off.

16.6: JJ Smit to Jason Smith, Good length around off, Jason Smith guides this to the left of backward point for one.

16.5: JJ Smit to Bjorn Fortuin, On a length around middle and off, Bjorn Fortuin shuffles to his leg and drives this inside out towards deep cover for one.

16.4: JJ Smit to Jason Smith, On a length around the pads, Jason Smith flicks this to deep square for one.

16.3: JJ Smit to Bjorn Fortuin, Good length on off, Bjorn Fortuin pushes this on the gap and takes a single. 

16.2: JJ Smit to Jason Smith, Good length around off, Jason cuts this through backward point for one.

16.1: JJ Smit to Bjorn Fortuin, Back of a length on off, Bjorn Fortuin punches this to long on for one.

15.6: Bernard Scholtz to Bjorn Fortuin, Seam up, on off, Bjorn Fortuin punches this through cover and takes one. Bjorn Fortuin has looked comfortable so far and maybe now is the time he will step on the accelerator.

15.5: Bernard Scholtz to Jason Smith, Quicker one on off, Jason Smith cuts this to deep point for another strike rotation.

15.4: Bernard Scholtz to Bjorn Fortuin, Darted on middle and leg, Bjorn Fortuin rolls this to long on for one.

15.3: Bernard Scholtz to Bjorn Fortuin, Fired in on the pads, Bjorn Fortuin rocks back and punches this back to the bowler.

15.2: Bernard Scholtz to Jason Smith, Tossed up on off, Jason Smith drives this to point for a single. 

15.1: Bernard Scholtz to Bjorn Fortuin, Fired on middle and leg, Bjorn Fortuin gets onto his back foot and flicks this to mid-wicket and takes a single. 

14.6: Ruben Trumpelmann to Bjorn Fortuin, Good length on middle and leg, Bjorn Fortuin rolls this to long on for one.

14.5: Ruben Trumpelmann to Bjorn Fortuin, Good length on middle and leg, Bjorn Fortuin nudges this through mid-wicket and scampers back for the second.

14.5: Ruben Trumpelmann to Bjorn Fortuin, WIDE! Good length down the leg, Bjorn Fortuin goes for the pull but misses. Wided.

14.4: Ruben Trumpelmann to Bjorn Fortuin, Back of a length on off, Bjorn Fortuin works this to mid-wicket for no run.

14.3: Ruben Trumpelmann to Jason Smith, Good length around off, Jason Smith drives this away on off for another single. 

14.2: Ruben Trumpelmann to Jason Smith, Good length on the pads, Jason Smith flicks this to deep square for one.

14.1: Ruben Trumpelmann to Jason Smith, FOUR! Smashed away for a boundary from the bat of Jason Smith. Short and wide outside off, Jason Smith gets behind it and smashes this all along the ground through the cover region for a boundary. 

13.6: Bernard Scholtz to Jason Smith, Fuller on off, Jason Smith drives this to cover for a single. 

13.5: Bernard Scholtz to Bjorn Fortuin, Fuller on leg, Bjorn Fortuin punches this down the ground for another single. 

13.4: Bernard Scholtz to Jason Smith, Short and on off, Jason punches this away for one.

13.3: Bernard Scholtz to Bjorn Fortuin, Fuller on the pads, Bjorn Fortuin milks this through square leg for one.

13.2: Bernard Scholtz to Bjorn Fortuin, Tossed up on off, Bjorn Fortuin steps across and looks to flick this around mid-wicket but the ball bounces a wee bit more and Bjorn ends up blocking this to the bowler's left.

13.1: Bernard Scholtz to Jason Smith, Floated on off, Jason Smith punches this to sweeper cover for one.

12.6: Ben Shikongo to Jason Smith, Good length on middle and leg, Jason Smith nudges this through mid-wicket for a single. 

12.5: Ben Shikongo to Bjorn Fortuin, Good length, on off, Bjorn Fortuin guides this to deep third and opens his account with a single. 

Bjorn Fortuin walks out next to bat. 

12.4: Ben Shikongo to Andile Simelane, OUT! CAUGHT! Good length around off, Andile Simelane looks to smash this out of the park and dances down the track for it. The ball hits the outer half of his bat and hangs towards cover. Gerhard Erasmus, patroling mid off, runs to his left, puts in a dive and collects this around the cover region. 

12.3: Ben Shikongo to Jason Smith, Back of a length on off, Jason pulls this flat and towards deep mid-wicket for one.

12.2: Ben Shikongo to Andile Simelane, Short-pitched, on middle and leg, Andile Simelane hops up on his toes and tucks this through mid-wicket for a single. 

12.1: Ben Shikongo to Jason Smith, Fuller on off, Jason Smith gets lured into the drive and plays the cover drive for one.

11.6: Bernard Scholtz to Andile Simelane, Floated on off, Andile Simelane punches this well but straight to the fielder.

11.5: Bernard Scholtz to Andile Simelane, Quicker one on off, Andile Simelane drops this towards point for no run.

11.4: Bernard Scholtz to Andile Simelane, Fuller on off, Andile Simelane tucks this through mid-wicket and takes two with ease.

11.3: Bernard Scholtz to Andile Simelane, Darted in the line of stumps, Andile Simelane punches this back to the bowler.

11.2: Bernard Scholtz to Jason Smith, Tossed up on middle and leg, Jason Smith pushes this to long on for one.

11.1: Bernard Scholtz to Jason Smith, Fuller on off, Jason Smith keeps it out.

10.6: Max Heingo to Andile Simelane, FOUR! Short-pitched, on off, Andile Simelane takes a good step deep in his crease and pulls this flat and through mid-wicket for a boundary. A strong start for Andile Simelane. 

10.5: Max Heingo to Andile Simelane, FOUR! A body to kick off his innings for Andile Simelane. Good length around off, Andile Simelane guides this wide to the right of the keeper and to the left of third man fielder for four runs. 

Andile Simelane walks out next.

10.4: Max Heingo to Donovan Ferreira, OUT! CAUGHT! On a length around middle and off, Donovan Ferreira clears his front foot from the line and gives it a mighty heave. The ball goes off the bottom half of his bat and finds Gerhard Erasmus at the deep mid-wicket fence for a simple catch. 

10.3: Max Heingo to Donovan Ferreira, FOUR! A boundary to get himself underway by the Proteas skipper. On a length wide of off, Donovan Ferreira plays this late, cuts this through the third man region for a boundary. 

Donovan Ferreira walks out next.

10.2: Max Heingo to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! The debutant comes round the wicket to Lhuan-dre Pretorius and bends his back to bowl a shot one around his right shoulder. Lhuan-dre Pretorius gets inside the line of it and goes for the hook but just gets a faint edge back to the keeper. A confident appeal by the keeper and the bowler convinces the umpire to raise his finger. Lhuan-dre Pretorius looked gutted with the decision as he felt that he had hit nothing.

10.1: Max Heingo to Jason Smith, Good length, wide of off, Jason Smith smashes this towards sweeper cover for a strike rotation.

9.6: Bernard Scholtz to Jason Smith, Flatter and quicker on the middle. Smith punches it to long-off for one.

9.5: Bernard Scholtz to Jason Smith, Flatter arm ball, on off. Smith knocks it to the man at short extra cover.

9.4: Bernard Scholtz to Jason Smith, Touch short, on the middle and leg. Smith works it through square leg and takes a couple.

9.3: Bernard Scholtz to Jason Smith, Tosses it up on off. Smith gets a good stride and defends into the off-side.

9.2: Bernard Scholtz to Jason Smith, Fuller and quicker on off. Smith prods and pushes into covers.

9.1: Bernard Scholtz to Jason Smith, Quicker arm ball, on the middle. Smith looks to work across but gets the inside edge onto the pad.

8.6: Ruben Trumpelmann to Jason Smith, On a hard length, on off. Smith knocks it through the gap at covers and takes one.

8.5: Ruben Trumpelmann to Jason Smith, FOUR! STREAKY! Back of a length and outside off. Smith looks to punch away from the body, gets a thick outside edge that runs down to deep third region for four runs.

Jason Smith walks in at number 5.

8.4: Ruben Trumpelmann to Rubin Hermann, OUT! HERMANN HOLES OUT! TRUMPELMANN GETS HIS SECOND! Short of a length delivery, angling into the middle and leg stump line. Hermann pulls it toward the deep backward square leg region. Shikongo comes forward as the ball was dipping and holds onto a good low catch. The Proteas are three down.

8.3: Ruben Trumpelmann to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, On a length, on the middle. Flicked to deep mid-wicket for one.

8.2: Ruben Trumpelmann to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Back of a length and skids through, around off. Pretorius charges down to loft it over the bowler but misses.

8.1: Ruben Trumpelmann to Rubin Hermann, Hard length delivery on the middle. Hermann knocks it down to long-on for one.

7.6: Max Heingo to Rubin Hermann, Back of a length delivery on off. Hermann forces this to long-on and settles for one.

7.5: Max Heingo to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Short of a good length, on the middle and leg. Pretorius pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

7.4: Max Heingo to Rubin Hermann, Back of a length, on the middle. Hermann mistimes the pull to long-on for one.

7.3: Max Heingo to Rubin Hermann, SIX! FIRST MAXIMUM FOR SOUTH AFRICA! Short of a good length, on off. Rubin Hermann picks it early and pulls it over deep square leg boundary for a biggie. 

7.2: Max Heingo to Rubin Hermann, Back of a length, just outside off. Hermann stands tall and flat-bats it to the long-on region. Smit makes good ground near the ropes, puts the dive and saves two for the side.

7.1: Max Heingo to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Back of a length on middle. Pulled to deep mid-wicket for one.

6.6: Gerhard Erasmus to Rubin Hermann, FOUR! SMART BATTING! Darted full, on the leg. Hermann gets inside the line and helps it to long-leg region for a clever boundary.

6.5: Gerhard Erasmus to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Flatter and quicker at the stumps. Pretorius moves across and knocks it toward extra cover for one.

6.4: Gerhard Erasmus to Rubin Hermann, Fuller and quicker, around off. Hermann pushes it to long-off for one.

6.3: Gerhard Erasmus to Rubin Hermann, Tossed up full, around off. Hermann pushes into covers.

6.2: Gerhard Erasmus to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Darted on a length, on the middle and leg. Pretorius goes back and pulls it to long-on for one.

6.1: Gerhard Erasmus to Rubin Hermann, Flatter, just outside off. Hermann punches it uppishly toward long-off for a single.

5.6: JJ Smit to Rubin Hermann, Back of a length, on the middle and leg. Hermann tucks it to fine leg for a single.

5.5: JJ Smit to Rubin Hermann, Full on off, Rubin Hermann blocks this one out. 

5.4: JJ Smit to Rubin Hermann, FOUR! Rubin finds the fence and the scorecard crawls again. Namibia has been good so far but this duo of southpaws in the middle will surely be upping the ante as both of them are stroke players.

5.3: JJ Smit to Rubin Hermann, Keeps it on a tight line and length, just outside off. Hermann shimmies down and defends into the off-side.

5.2: JJ Smit to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Skiddy length ball, just outside off. Hermann dabs it toward the backward point region.

5.1: JJ Smit to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Short of a good length, on off. Pretorius tucks it through square leg for a single.

4.6: Ruben Trumpelmann to Rubin Hermann, Keeps it on a good length, on off. Hermann comes forward and defends into the off-side.

4.5: Ruben Trumpelmann to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Back of a length on the hip. Pretorius whips it toward deep backward square leg region for a single.

4.4: Ruben Trumpelmann to Rubin Hermann, Fuller than a good length, on the middle and leg. Clipped toward mid-on, and they take a quick single. Direct hit at the bowler's end would have seen Hermann struggling.

4.3: Ruben Trumpelmann to Rubin Hermann, Short of a good length, at the stumps. Hermann defends from the crease.

Rubin Hermann walks in at number 4.

4.2: Ruben Trumpelmann to Reeza Hendricks, OUT! GONE! TRUMPELMANN STRIKES! Back of a length delivery, angled into the middle and leg stump line. Hendricks takes it on and pulls it toward the deep mid-wicket region. Malan Kruger makes good ground from deep square leg and takes a brilliant catch. South Africa are two down.

4.1: Ruben Trumpelmann to Reeza Hendricks, Hard length delivery, angled in on off. Hendricks looks to tuck across the line but misses and wears on the pad.

Ruben Trumpelmann comes into the attack next. 

3.6: Ben Shikongo to Reeza Hendricks, Back of a length delivery, outside off. Hendricks cuts it through point for a single.

3.5: Ben Shikongo to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, On a length, on the middle, and leg. Pretorius clips it toward the deep backward square leg and some fine fielding in the deep keeps it to a single.

3.4: Ben Shikongo to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Full, and at the stumps. Driven back to the bowler.

3.3: Ben Shikongo to Reeza Hendricks, Short of a good length, angling down the leg. Hendricks mistimes the pull to short fine leg for a single.

3.2: Ben Shikongo to Reeza Hendricks, FOUR! NICELY DONE! On a length, on off. Hendricks gets on the front foot and times it through the cover region for an elegant boundary.

3.1: Ben Shikongo to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, On a length and around off. Pretorius pushes it toward mid-off for a single.

2.6: JJ Smit to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Back of a length, on the middle and leg. Tucked toward the wide mid-on region for a single.

2.5: JJ Smit to Reeza Hendricks, On a length, on the middle. Hendricks tucks it toward square leg and picks a single.

2.4: JJ Smit to Reeza Hendricks, Fuller than a good length, on off. Hendricks gets forward and pushes it toward mid-on. Three dots in a row.

2.3: JJ Smit to Reeza Hendricks, Short of a good length, on off. Hendricks gets cramped and blocks it onto the pitch.

2.2: JJ Smit to Reeza Hendricks, Lands it on a length, on off. Hendricks defends this toward the cover point region.

2.1: JJ Smit to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Back of a length, on the middle and leg. Pretorius pulls it to deep square leg for one.

1.6: Ben Shikongo to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, On a length, angled into the middle. Pretorius tucks it through mid-wicket and settles for a single.

1.5: Ben Shikongo to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, FOUR! GLORIOUS! On a fullish length, and around off. Pretorius shimmies down and drives it through covers for a lovely boundary.

1.5: Ben Shikongo to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, WIDE! Fuller than a length and sliding down the leg. Pretorius plays and misses. Wide signaled.

1.4: Ben Shikongo to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, FOUR! EASY PICKINGS! Short of a good length and angling down the leg. Pretorius picks it early and helps it to the fine leg region for four runs.

1.3: Ben Shikongo to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Fuller than a good length, angled into the middle and leg. Pretorius looks to flick across the line but misses onto the pad.

1.2: Ben Shikongo to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Keeps it on a length, at the stumps. Pretorius defends from the crease.

1.1: Ben Shikongo to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Good length delivery on off. Pretorius knocks it toward mid-off.

0.6: Gerhard Erasmus to Quinton de Kock, OUT! CAUGHT! Gerhard Erasmus draws first blood! Tad short, on the middle and leg. Quinton de Kock goes back and miscues the pull toward the backward square leg region. Ruben Trumpelmann takes the simplest of catches and South Africa are rocked early. Not the best of returns for de Kock to international cricket.

Reeza Hendricks walks in at number 3. Ben Shikongo to share the attack.

0.6: Gerhard Erasmus to Quinton de Kock, WIDE! Flatter and angling down the leg. Quinton de Kock pulls and misses. Wide signaled.

0.5: Gerhard Erasmus to Quinton de Kock, Slower through the air, on middle. de Kock defends from the crease.

0.4: Gerhard Erasmus to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Darted on a length, on the middle. Lhuan-dre Pretorius tucks into the leg side and takes one.

0.3: Gerhard Erasmus to Quinton de Kock, Flatter and quicker on the middle and leg. Quinton de Kock pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

0.2: Gerhard Erasmus to Quinton de Kock, Flighted on a length and spins a touch, just outside off. de Kock comes forward to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge.

0.1: Gerhard Erasmus to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, South Africa are away! Tossed up on the middle and leg. Pretorius works it through mid-wicket and takes a single.

The national anthems and pre-match formalities are over, and now it's time for the cricket action to kick off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius is opening the innings for SA along with Quinton de Kock who is returning to T20I cricket for the first time after coming out of retirement in this format. Gerhard Erasmus will be bowling the first over for Namibia.

The teams have lined up along with the match officials for the pre-match ceremonials. The national anthems are about to be played - South Africa's will be first, followed by Namibia's.

Namibia (Playing XI) - Jan Frylinck, Louren Steenkamp, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus, JJ Smit, Malan Kruger, Ruben Trumpelmann, Zane Green(WK), Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, Max Heingo. 

South Africa (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock(WK), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, Donovan Ferreira(C), Andile Simelane, Bjorn Fortuin, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, Lizaad Williams.

Toss - South Africa have won the toss and opted to BAT.