SA vs NAM: Namibia Seal Last-Ball T20I Win vs South Africa

In a thrilling match between South Africa and Namibia (SA vs NAM), Namibia claimed a narrow win in the only T20I played in Windhoek on Saturday. Zane Green scored the victory runs on the last ball of the match, allowing the hosts to win by 4 wickets.

This remarkable defeat marks only the second time that South Africa has lost to an Associate nation in T20Is, the first coming against the Netherlands in Adelaide at the 2022 T20 World Cup.

South Africa Post Modest Total Despite Recovery Efforts

South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first, but their innings did not start well; their batting was shaky from early on. Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks both fell early in the innings, and the visitors were beginning to find it hard work on a surface that had grip and bounce that was also uneven.

Lhuandre Pretorius and Rubin Hermann tried to recover, posting 30 runs before Hermann was taken out by Ruben Trumpelmann, who took a great diving catch at deep square leg.

South Africa fell to 68/5 by the 11th over, but Jason Smith (31), Bjorn Fortuin, and Gerald Coetzee ensured the total was taken to a respectable 134/8 in 20 overs.

South Africa Batting Highlights:

Jason Smith – 31 runs

Rubin Hermann – 23 runs

Trumpelmann – 3/28

Max Heingo – 2/32

Namibia’s Steady Chase Anchored by Middle Order

Namibia’s pursuit was anything but smooth. After a good beginning, they lost their early wickets. The South African bowlers, though, were at pains, particularly the line of Gerald Coetzee, who even had to leave the field hurt after having bowled only four balls in his second over.

Namibia reached 51/3 in 7 overs and was in a good place in their chase. The middle-order trio of Gerhard Erasmus (31), JJ Smit and Jason Kruger quickly helped maintain the momentum of the middle overs. With 28 to win from 3 overs, it was still a long way to go for Namibia. That’s when Ruben Trumpelmann and Zane Green were the heroes.

Zane Green Finishes in Style in Final Over

In the final over of the SA vs NAM showdown, Zane Green flipped the match on its head by hitting the first ball six off Andile Simelane. The pacer then slowed down, leaving Namibia to require one run from the final ball.

Trying to bowl a yorker, Simelane had his mark wrong, producing a low full toss, which Green hit for a boundary, and got a win for Namibia.