Namibia once again stunned South Africa, as the Eagles recorded their second T20I victory against the top ICC Full Member. On Friday, Namibia hosted the first game of the T20I tri-series, where the hosts claimed an 18-run win.
After the South African captain Bjorn Fortuin won the toss, he chose to field first. Namibia scored 163/9 in 20 overs after a strong start. In reply, South Africa had a poor start, as they were restricted to 145/9 in 20 overs.
Namibian openers set the tone
Namibian openers Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck set up a strong start with an 84-run opening partnership in 9.4 overs. With the help of three fours and two sixes, Steenkamp scored 41 off 29 balls before the Proteas skipper Fortuin bowled him.
Frylink scored 60 off 38 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes, while Dewald Brevis took his wicket in the 13th over. After his wicket fell, the hosts were losing wickets regularly, as captain Gerhard Erasmus (19), Alexander Busing-Volschenk (13*), and Ruben Trumpelmann (12) managed double-digit scores.
Among the South African bowlers, Prenelan Subrayen got three wickets (3/32), while debutant Duan Jansen (2/32) and captain Bjorn Fortuin (2/17) got two wickets each.
Dewald Brevis and Duan Jansen's fights failed to claim miracle win
At chasing, South Africa had a poor start by losing three wickets for 39 runs. Later, they were deeply struggling at 86/5. While Dewald Brevis fought hard with his outstanding 75 off 50 balls (four fours and five sixes), Rubin Hermann (12) and debutant Duan Jansen (25*) were the only other Proteas batters to manage double-digit scores.
Brevis and Jansen had a fighting 47-run partnership for the sixth wicket, but once Brevis was dismissed in the 18th over, Proteas lost control in the chase.
JJ Smit won the player of the match award for his bowling figures of 4-0-31-3. Also, Ruben Trumpelmann (3/24) got three wickets, including dismissing dangerous Brevis.
