Hope is lost.

NAMIBIA’s hopes of reaching the 2019 Cricket World Cup came to an end when they lost by 19 runs to the UAE in their final group match at the World Cricket League Division 2 tournament in Windhoek on Wednesday.

UAE booked their ticket to the final World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe next month and will be joined by Nepal, who beat Canada by one wicket on Wednesday.

In an incredibly tight finish to the group stages, Nepal finished on top of the log on eight points, followed by UAE, Canada and Namibia all on six points each, Oman on two and Kenya on zero points.

UAE, Canada and Namibia were separated on nett run rate, with UAE finishing second with a 1,034 run rate, while Canada had 0,868 and Namibia 0,566.

Sent in to bat, UAE scored 247 for six wickets off their 50 overs, while Namibia fell short by 19 runs, reaching 228 all out with two balls to spare.

In UAE’s innings, Shaiman Anwar top-scored with 77 off 59 balls (3×6, 5×4), while Muhammad Usman added 59 off 57 balls (2×6, 3×4) and Ghulam Shabber 44.

JJ Smit was Namibia’s best bowler, taking three wickets for 57 runs off 10 overs.

In Namibia’s innings Gerhard Erasmus top scored with 58 off 63 balls (2×6, 3×4), while Craig Williams scored 54 and Lohan Louwrens 43.

Rohan Mustafa (3/31) and Amir Hayat (3/49) were UAE’s best bowlers.

In the final group match on Wednesday, Oman beat Kenya by two wickets.

In Thursday’s final playoff matches, Nepal and UAE will play in the final at the Wanderers ground; Namibia play Canada in the third place playoff at Affies Park; and Oman play Kenya in the fifth place playoff at the United field.

 

The Namibian

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