After a historical Group Round, where they managed to qualify for the Super 12 for the first time, Namibia take on the spirited Scotland in match 21 of the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Namibia
After being bowled out for just 96 in their opening match against Sri Lanka, Namibia bounced back by causing upsets, defeating the Netherlands by six wickets and then Ireland by eight wickets. Ireland, who were the favourites to qualify for the Super 12 round along with Sri Lanka, were thumped by an all-round performance from David Wiese. Once a South African cricketer, Wiese took 2-22 and then scored an unbeaten 28 off just 14 balls, to fire Namibia into the next round and go head-to-head with the big boys of World Cricket.
Wiese, who is Namibia’s second-highest run-scorer in this year’s T20 World Cup with 100 runs in three innings, is just behind his captain Merwe Gerhard Erasmus, who has scored 105 runs at an average of 52.50. Wiese, with his medium pace, is also his team’s second-highest wicket-taker, with three wickets at a miserly rate of 6.50. All-rounder Jan Nicolaas Frylinck has been the pick of the bowlers with five wickets at an economy rate of 7.78.
Scotland
Scotland might have been favourites to qualify for the next round along with Bangladesh, but Bangladesh were dealt a tough blow early in the tournament when Scotland defeated them by six runs. After an onslaught from Chris Green, who scored 45 off 28 balls, Brad Wheal derailed the Bangladeshi run chase by picking 3-24.
Richard Berrington is Scotland’s highest run-scorer in T20Is and this tournament, and along with George Munsey, who is Scotland’s third-highest run-scorer, will be key batters in Scotland batting line-up. Pacers Safyaan Sharif and Mark Watt will be expected to take the bowling honours, being their country’s top wicket-takers in the game’s shortest format.
Probable Playing XI
Namibia:
Zane Green (WK), Craig Williams, Merwe Gerhard Erasmus (C), David Wiese, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Stephen Baard, Ruben Trumpelmann, Michael van Lingen, Bernard Scholtz
Scotland:
Kyle Coetzer (C), George Munsey, Calum MacLeod, Richie Berrington, Matthew Cross (WK), Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Josh Davey, Safyaan Sharif, Brad Wheal