SHARJAH: New Zealand put on a thorough all-round performance to beat Namibia in the Group 2 clash in Sharjah on Friday and boosted their hopes of reaching the Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals.
The 52-run win helps New Zealand leapfrog Afghanistan to the second spot in the Group 2 standings. Chasing 164, Namibia were unable to take advantage of the fielding restrictions as the New Zealand pacers kept a leash on the scoring.
They eventually reaped the rewards, scalping three wickets after the Powerplay as the pressure kept building. Namibia never managed to recover from there as the Black Caps kept pegging at the wickets. The Eagles could only get to 111/7 as they fell short by 52 runs.
Earlier, late fireworks from Glenn Phillips and Jimmy Neesham propelled New Zealand to 163/4. After Namibia pulled it back in the middle overs with quick wickets of Kane Williamson and Devon Conway, Neesham and Phillips’ unbeaten 76 run partnership helped them finish strong.
Earlier, Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus won the toss and put New Zealand in to bat first in Sharjah. Martin Guptill picked up from where he left off in the game against Scotland, making his intent clear with a six off Bernard Scholtz in the first over.
Ruben Trumpelmann wasn’t spared either, as Guptill walked down the track and smashed him straight back. It was Namibia’s go-to man, David Wiese, who dealt the Black Caps the first blow.
Skipper Kane Williamson (28) and Devon Conway (17) failed to raise the scoring rate but Phillips and Neesham took the attack to Namibia at the death, switching gears superbly during their fifth-wicket stand of 76 to flatten their opponents.
