NAM vs SA

5:50 PM local time (9:20 PM IST): What a match to witness! What a match to set the tone for the rest of the series! Namibia just showed that associates are here to take on the 'big boys', and, win. It's no longer competing with them and coming second, it's about playing better cricket on the day and finishing first! But as for South Africa, it's a quick turnaround, because they will come up against Zimbabwe tomorrow, from 2:00 PM local time (5:30 PM IST). We will come right back to bring you all the live action from the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek. This is Pradeep and Bidipto taking your leave. Keep following Sportskeeda! 

Gerhard Erasmus (Namibia captain): "I think this victory is very important, because it shows that we belong here! In the power play, the opening batters set the tone and the rest of the team followed suit for the entire match. The younger bowlers have done well, the older guys have stepped up when it matters, so, that's what you want from your team. Now, we look forward to facing Zimbabwe and take it one match at a time. It's crucial." 

Bjorn Fortuin (South Africa captain): [On the defeat and the team’s response] “Obviously, we’re disappointed with the loss, but I think the team played really well. Hopefully, we can put this behind us and come back strongly.”

[On the quick turnaround] “It’s a quick turnaround, so we’ll regroup and be back here tomorrow.”

JJ Smit is the Player of the Match! Here's what he has to say: [On the historic win] “It feels surreal. It’s just a really proud moment for the team and for Namibian cricket as well.”

[On dealing with the pressure] “I definitely felt the pressure, not going to lie. But moments like this are what you play cricket for, and it’s a really special feeling.”

5:26 PM local time (8:56 PM IST): Namibia win by 18 runs! 

Jan Frylinck 60 (38) | Ruben Trumpelmann - 3/24 (4)
Dewald Brevis 75 (50) | Prenelan Subrayen - 3/32 (4)

History has repeated itself here at the Namibia Cricket Ground! Namibia, ten months after beating South Africa in a T20I, have done it again! Yes, the mighty Proteas have been humbled and there cannot be a better setting to open this tri-series! 

We were wondering if Namibia had enough runs on the board after collapsing in the second half of their batting innings, well, the answer is a resounding 'yes'! 

The bowling in the power play was as good as it gets from the hosts! Ruben Trumpelmann, Jack Bressell and Jonathan Smit were spot on with their lines and lengths, not giving away more than one boundary and picking up two wickets in total. Young Bressell, with his pace, hard lengths and accuracy, was the pick of the bowlers in the first six overs. 

The follow up from 18-year-old Max Heingo was a good one too, as he removed Tony de Zorzi off the last ball of his first over, immediately after the power play. 

Then came a rebuilding partnership of 39 runs off 26 balls between Dewald Brevis and Rubin Hermann. But when it looked like taking the game away from the home side, Trumpelmann came back into the attack and castled the left-hand bat! 

Connor Esterhuizen didn't last long either, holing out to deep mid-wicket, off the bowling of Smit. At that stage, it felt as though victory would be simple for Namibia. 

But with Duan Jansen joining him and holding fort, Brevis broke free again, smashing important runs in fours and sixes, registering his fifty. The duo looked set to bring up their fifty-run stand for the 6th wicket too. 

However, a couple of dot balls forced Brevis to take the last ball of Trumpelmann's final over on, and the result was a thick outside edge, brilliantly snaffled by Bressell at short third man to his left! 

Post that, there was no coming back for the Proteas! Duan Jansen did try his best in the final over to pull off a miracle, but post the first two deliveries, Smit got his act together and closed it out, to hand his team first points of this tri-series and give the home crowd in Namibia's capital, more than a lot to cheer about! 

19.6 Jonathan Smit to Prenelan Subrayen, OUT! BALT TAKES A STUNNER! THAT IS IT! NAMIBIA DO IT AGAIN! Another stunning upset as the Eagles beat South Africa for the second time in T20Is! Length delivery on the leg-stump, Subrayen whacked it in the air and the fielder at deep square-leg with a full stretched dive to his right, completes a brilliant catch.

19.5 Jonathan Smit to Nqobani Mokoena, OUT! HOLES OUT AT LONG-ON! Another one bites the dust. Length delivery on the stumps, Mokoena launches it straight down the throat of Trumpelmann who makes no mistake.

19.3 Jonathan Smit to Duan Jansen, OH! Good come back from Smit, just what he needs to do, nothing fancy. Full into the blockhole. Jansen couldn't get underneath that, digs it out back to the bowler. It's a DOT!