The first match of the T20 World Cup 2022 turned out to be an absolute shocker. Underrated Namibia defeated reigning Asia Cup champion, Sri Lanka, by mammoth 55 runs. This stunning match raised the curtains of the World Cup in style.
After winning the toss, Lanka chose to bowl first. Namibians showed utmost confidence right from the start. Though it lost the wickets of openers pretty early, Loftie-Eaton (20) and Baard (26) settled the innings. After the former’s dismissal, captain Erasmus (20) joined Baard and made a partnership of 41 runs. After that, Sri Lanka bowlers came back well and scalped three wickets in no time. At that point, Namibia’s score was 91/5 in 14 overs. That’s when Jan Frylinck (44) and JJ Smit (31) turned the game and played sensational knocks. Their unbeaten 70-run partnership ensured Namibia in scoring 163/7 in 20 overs.
Sri Lankan batters were clueless about Namibian bowling since the beginning. As a result, their team kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Captain Dasun Shanaka (29) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (20) made a partnership of 34 runs but once they got dismissed, the rest of the batting lineup fell like a pack of cards. Eventually, they got all-out for 108 in 19 overs. David Wiese (2/16), Bernard Scholtz (2/18) and Ben Shikongo (2/22) scalped two wickets each for Namibia.
This is a big victory for Namibia and with one more win in the group stage, they can mostly ensure a berth in the Super 12.