T20 World Cup: Namibia beat Oman in Super-Over thriller; hosts West Indies rally to win against PNG
T20 WC: Namibia beat Oman in Super-Over thriller; WI wins against PNG
In only the third match of the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Americas, the result was decided in a super over, with Namibia beating spirited Omanin Barbados. Namibia’s veteran all-rounder David Wiese starred for the African nation, picking three wickets during the regular game and one in the super over. A low-scoring thriller saw Namibia seamer Ruben Trumpelmann picking four wickets, including two in two balls upfront, and batter Jan Frylinck contributing 45 runs while chasing.
This was only the thirdtime in the tournament history that a match went in the super over, the first time since 2012.
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Namibia bowled first after winning the toss, picking two wickets in the first two balls. At a time when Oman was losing wickets regularly, Khalid Kail played a handy knock in the middle order on a tricky wicket, helping Oman go past 100. Trumpelmann and Wiese picked seven wickets among them as Namibia dismissed Oman on 109.
Although the target was below par and considering Namibia was the team with more international exposure than Oman, they went in as favourites. However, the equation changed soon after as batting became tougher on the Barbados wicket.
The top order contributed, but as the fag end of the match approached, Oman clawed their way back into the game. Mehran Khan was the star bowler for Oman, picking three wickets for seven runs in three overs.
His phenomenal last over, wherein he picked two of those wickets and defended six runs, led the game to go into the super over.
Wiese’s experience came in handy in the super over, as he single-handedly guided his team to a famous win.
West Indies beat PNG
Meanwhile, in the second match of the tournament between West Indies and Papua New Guinea (PNG), the hosts escaped a close shave and won the game by five wickets in Guyana.
PNG batted first and scored 136 for eight, with Sese Bau becoming their first-ever player to score a fifty in the T20 World Cup. For the hosts, seamers Andre Russell and vice-captain Alzarri Joseph picked two wickets each.
West Indies began well in the chase despite losing Johnson Charlesfor a first-ball duck. Brandon King and Roston Chase scored 34 and 42*, respectively. Although PNG pulled the momentum towards the end, a handy cameo of 15* off nine balls by Russell saw the hosts cross the winning line.
