Namibia Build On Ireland Defeat By Beating Scotland

Namibia Build On Ireland Defeat By Beating Scotland

Louis van der Westhuizen blasted a century against Scotland to set up another victory for Namibia

©ICC / Ian Jacobs

Namibia beat higher-ranked opponents for the second time in two days as the later games in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in the United Arab Emirates produced plenty of thrills and spills.

Having defeated Ireland on the opening day, Namibia meted out similar treatment of Scotland while there were also wins for Afghanistan, Nepal and Oman.

GROUP A

Afghanistan won the day's second Twenty20 International by beating Netherlands by four wickets. Alexei Kervezee struck a brilliant unbeaten 58 in 43 balls and Michael Swart was in good form making 22 but a score of 149 for six was not enough to limit the free-flowing Afghan batsmen. Mohammad Shahzad hammered 54 in 44 deliveries and Nawroz Mangal made 26 but a tight finish was set up by some tight Dutch bowling. Samiullah Shenwari (9 not out) and Noor Ali Zadran (11 not out) held their nerve. Izatullah Dawlatzai had earlier taken figures of three for 33 and Pieteer Seelaar delivered a rare maiden during Afghanistan's innings.

Nepal produced an outstanding display that left Denmark floored after a nine-wicket victory. Denmark made a reasonable start after winning the toss but lost nine wickets for 41 runs to be dimissed for 82 as Shakti Gauchan blasted through the batting to finish with four for 20 including a hat-trick. Prithu Baskota grabbed two for four, took a catch and pulled off a run out. Nepal lost Paresh Lohani but thereafter it was plain sailing for them, and 65 in 43 balls from Pradeep Airee helped them canter to victory in 12.4 overs and their place at the top of the group.

Standings after 2 matches: Nepal, Afghanistan 4 points, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Canada, Denmark 2 points, Papua New Guinea, Bermuda 0 points

GROUP B

Having narrowly beaten Ireland on the opening day, Namibia made it a notable double with an excellent 49-run win over Scotland as Louis van der Westhuizen scored the tournament's first century. He blasted 106 in 54 balls, hammering eight fours and eight sixes to propel Namibia to 192 for three. Raymond van Schoor and Craig Williams both scored 30. Scotland were unable to match Namibia's big hitting and although several batsmen made starts, they were regularly pegged back as Louis Klazinga, van der Westhuizen and van Schoor picked up a brace of wickets apiece. Scotland closed on 143 for eight.

Uganda made it an African double by winning by three wickets against Oman. Zeeshan Siddiqui (30) top scored for Oman as they battled to 128 all out as Davis Arinaitwe took three for 28 and Uganda reached 132 for seven with five balls to spare. Roger Mukusa hit 45 at the top of the order and despite Siddiqui taking three for 16, Oman could notquite do enough to force victory.

Standings after two matches: Namibia, Italy, Uganda 4 points, Ireland, Scotland 2 points, USA, Oman, Kenya 0 points

Next fixtures (15th March):

Group A: Afghanistan v Denmark, Canada v Hong Kong, Bermuda v Netherlands, Nepal v Papua New Guinea

Group B: Ireland v Italy, Namibia v USA, Kenya v Oman, Scotland v Uganda

© Cricket World 2012