NAM vs ZIM

Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe Captain)- " I thought we were very poor in the end with the ball and we should have done much better. Credit to Brad for holding on to his nerves.  If we divide the batting in to three parts, we were good in two parts. Curran and Bennett did well up- front. We just struggled in the 7-11 over period with the bat as we lost wickets. However in the end the partnership between Brad Evans and Ryan Burl got us to a great total. In bowling department we were excellent early and in the 11-14th over period also went well for us. However I feel we were really poor in the back end and we need to pull up for socks for the same. Try and win every game and try to perform in every game. It is about winning every game and we will need to do our best. If the opposition does better than us then good luck to them and I am grateful to have won the game today. However I feel that we were not up to the mark and not at our best. " 

Gerhard Erasmus (Namibia captain): "Well those two almost got us over the line! For the first 14 overs of the 2nd innings, we thought we were out of it. But then, on a good six-hitting ground, they made it happen for us! Great game, great for us as the host nation. Alex (Alexander Busing Volschenk) has done it before, but today, against a good opposition, almost got the job done! Zane (Green), as a wicketkeeper-batter, has shown his class once again and told us why he is a sure-shot in the team." 

Brad Evans (Player of the Match, 37* off 25 balls and 3/41 in 4 overs): "It feels pretty good! It's good to get over the line. I enjoy those pressure moments, and lucky that it all paid off. I've worked hard on my progress with the bat, and it's good to see things coming off." 

Namibia 190 all out in 20 overs

Alexander Busing Volschenk 56(29) | Brad Evans 3/41
Zane Green 54(26) | Brian Bennett 2/8

Right so, we've had an incredible contest here in Windhoek and Zimbabwe have prevailed by just 5 runs at the end of it. This has been a tremendous performance from the chevrons and Brad Evans held his nerve to take his side to victory. The pair of Alexander Busing Volschenk and Zane Green created history for the hosts but they just couldn't get over the line in the final over. It has been a T20 game of the highest quality and the crowd has thoroughly entertained here. Spare of thought for the Namibian duo who pulled off a 7th wicket stand of 110 from 52 balls. 

Zimbabwe started off brilliantly and they managed to get a couple of wickets in the powerplay itself. Brad Evans got rid of the Namibian skipper Gerhard Erasmus which led to the slowing down of the scoring rate. The Namibians got to just 34 runs in the first six overs while Zimbabwe were 64 at the same stage in their innings. Nyamhuri was particularly impressive in the powerplay while Muzarabani picked up an early wicket.

Nicole-Loftie Eaton managed to up the ante and scored a quickfire 20 before being dismissed by Brian Bennett. The off spinner also picked up the wicket of JJ Smit and it triggered a collapse for Namibia as they began to lose wickets in heaps. Wellington Masakadza got rid of the set Jan Frylinck while Sikandar Raza got Ruben Trumpelmann as the Namibians were 6 down and staring at a defeat.

For Zimbabwe, Brad Evans held on to his own even after giving away a no ball and a boundary in the final over. He took 3 wickets in spell and he was the pick of the bowlers. Muzarabani and Raza also picked up a wicket while Brian Bennett bowled a brilliant over in the middle where he picked up a couple of wickets by giving away just 8 runs. Overall, the hosts will be disappointed but they can proud of their efforts. Zimbabwe will be thrilled as they're still in contention to make the finals. 

19.6 Brad Evans to Jack Brassell, BOWLED HIM! AND ZIMBABWE WIN AN ABSOLUTE THRILLER!! Full and around off-stump. Brassell tried to heave that well over wide long-on from down on one knee, but the connection was not proper. It ended up being an inside edge, that found it's way on to the stumps, and brought about a heartbreak for Namibia! 

19.5 Brad Evans to Jack Brassell, AND IT'S A RUN OUT ONCE AGAIN IN THE OVER! Yorker on off-stump. Brassell drills it back to the bowler, but in the process of looking for the single, Scholtz does not see what happens to the ball. Evans collects it, runts to the stumps and takes the bails off! 

Marumani puts in a herculean dive and he picks up an amazing catch. Zimbabwe are still in the game now with 6 runs needed from two balls. Brad Evans is doing it for his side. 

19.4 Brad Evans to Alexander Busing Volschenk, OH WHAT A CATCH AGAIN HERE! IT'S TADIWANASHE MARUMANI NOW, UNDER PRESSURE! Full and wide outside off-stump. Volschenk went for the big shot through wide mid-off, got a thick outside edge on it, but then, a flying Marumani pouched it safely with the right glove!