ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Trumpelmann heroics drive Namibia to four-wicket win over Scotland

Oct 27, 2021

ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Trumpelmann heroics drive Namibia to four-wicket win over Scotland Image

Debutants Namibia continued their dream run. After beating the Netherlands and Ireland in their last two matches, they now beat Scotland by four wickets in Abu Dhabi.

Ruben Trumpelmann's triple blow in the first over pushed Scotland into a tight spot, from which they never recovered. They were restricted to a modest total of 109, and Namibia, despite a few middle-order hiccups, chased down the target.

Trumpelmann bowled George Munsey with the first ball of the match. Later in the over, he found himself on the cusp of a hat-trick after removing Calum MacLeod and Richie Berrington on consecutive deliveries. Things got worse for Scotland when they lost Craig Wallace, who replaced Kyle Coetzer, in the sixth over. The score read 18/4 at this stage.

Michael Leask joined Matthew Cross (19), and the duo tried to steady down things before the latter got bowled by Jan Frylinck. Leask struck two sixes and four fours for his 27-ball 44, as Ireland finished on 109/8. Trumpelmann finished with three wickets, while Jan Frylinck claimed two.

It was supposed to be an easy chase, but Mark Watt and Chris Greaves squeezed in a few tight overs to keep the game alive. Watt got Craig Williams (23) in the 13th over to reduce Namibia to 67/4.

David Wiese's 14-ball 16 then brought the asking rate down, while J.J. Smit, kept his composure and made 32 in 23 balls to take Namibia across the finishing line.

Brief scores: Scotland 109/8 in 20 overs (Michael Leask 44; Ruben Trumpelmann 3-17) lost to Namibia 115/6 in 19.1 overs (J.J. Smit 32*; Michael Leask 2-12) by 4 wickets with 5 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Ruben Trumpelmann.