Zimbabwe opening batter Brian Bennett and Namibia all-rounder J.J. Smit played crucial roles on Thursday as their teams secured spots at the T20 World Cup through victories in the African qualifying event.
Bennett’s quickfire 51 in Harare propelled Zimbabwe to a seven-wicket win over Kenya with five overs remaining. Earlier, Smit compiled an unbeaten 61 and claimed three wickets in a 63-run victory over Tanzania.
With Zimbabwe and Namibia qualifying, the number of nations confirmed for the February 7-March 8 tournament, co-hosted by defending champions India and Sri Lanka, has risen to 17.
The remaining three slots will be decided through the Asia and East Asia-Pacific qualifiers in Oman, starting next week.
Zimbabwe, surprising absentees from the
2024 World Cup, will make their seventh appearance, while Namibia will appear for the fourth consecutive time.
Kenya won the toss and opted to bat, but their total of 122-6 was insufficient. Rakep Patel top-scored with 65 from 47 balls, after openers Pushkar Sharma (11) and Dhiren Gondaria (1) fell cheaply.
Bennett wasted no time setting Zimbabwe on the path to qualification, averaging two runs per delivery in a knock that featured two sixes and eight fours, including six in one over from Lucas Ndandason.
He and Tadiwanashe Marumani (39) put on 76 for the first wicket, and Zimbabwe reached 123-3 with 30 balls to spare. Vraj Patel was the pick of the Kenyan bowlers with 2 for 29.
Put in to bat by Tanzania, Namibia recovered from losing four wickets with only 41 runs on the board to post 174-6 off 20 overs. Tanzania replied with 111-8.
Smit and captain Gerhard Erasmus, who scored 55 from 41 balls, swung the match in Namibia’s favour, adding 88 for the fifth wicket.
Smit struck four sixes and a four in his 43-ball innings, while Erasmus, who has captained Namibia in their previous three World Cup appearances, hit six fours.
Apart from opener Abhik Patwa, who made 31 off 31 deliveries with a six and three fours, Tanzania struggled to keep up with the required run rate and never recovered.
Zimbabwe and Namibia will co-host the 2027 ODI World Cup alongside South Africa, the third African team to have qualified for February’s showpiece in India.
(With Agency Inputs)
