NAMIBIA beat Kenya to join Canada and Nepal on the same points at the top of the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 table, with only one round of matches left before the two qualifications spots for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier are confirmed.
On the reserve day in Windhoek, Namibia, the round two fixture which had started twice and was unable to be completed due to rain, resulted in a comfortable eight wicket victory for the hosts. Canada, Nepal and Namibia all currently sit on eight points, with UAE sitting in fourth on six points, with all teams still able to qualify for Zimbabwe.
Tuesday’s matches ensure an exciting finish as the top four teams go head to head. Current table toppers Canada face third place Nepal at Wanderers and second placed Namibia will battle it out with fourth place UAE at WAP. The top two teams at the end of today’s matches will qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018.
In Tuesday’s match Kenya won the toss and elected to bat first. They got off to a strong start as Dhiren Gondaria (60 off 45 balls, 4×4, 5×6) and Alex Obanda (28) put on a 77-run partnership, before the remaining seven wickets fell for only 33 runs as Kenya’s batting line-up collapsed.
Namibia’s off spinner Bernard Scholtz (4 wickets for 15 runs) and leg spinner Petrus Burger (3/17) were the stand-out bowlers for the hosts, as the next top run-getter for Kenya was captain Rakep Patel who scored eight runs as they finished up on 110 all out off 30,1 overs.
Namibia’s run-chase was comfortable as Stephan Baard’s 37 runs from 39 balls got Namibia off to a solid start, before he retired hurt. Lohan Louwrens (22), Niko Davin (22 not out) and Craig Williams (28 not out) took over and led Namibia to victory in 16 overs.
The win launched Namibia into second place in the table, with all at stake in Wednesday’s matches.
Namibia take on the UAE at Affies Park, Canada play Nepal at Wanderers, and Kenya play Oman at United.
– icc-cricket.com
