New Zealand increase semi-final hopes with Namibia win

Glenn Phillips and Jimmy Neesham plundered 67 runs off the final 4 overs as New Zealand made 163-4 after being put into bat.

In reply, Namibia have been nicely set at 47-0 within the eighth over earlier than they pale to 111-7.

New Zealand have six factors, two forward of Afghanistan and 4 in entrance of India who should win each their remaining video games, and enhance their run fee, to have any probability of creating the semi-finals.

Pakistan have already booked their place within the final 4 from Group 2.

Pre-tournament favourites India face Scotland in Dubai later Friday.

“We knew what to anticipate right here, it was an actual scrap,” mentioned New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.

Phillips hit an undefeated 39 off 21 balls with one 4 and three sixes whereas man-of-the-match Neesham made 35 from 23 deliveries with a boundary and two sixes.

The Black Caps, who face fellow semi-final hopefuls Afghanistan on Sunday, have been struggling at 96-4 off 16 overs after being put into bat by Namibia, the lowest-ranked group within the event.

However Namibia misplaced their self-discipline with 21 coming off the 18th over bowled by David Wiese and 18 taken from a wild 10-ball remaining over from JJ Smit.

Namibia had restricted New Zealand to 62-2 on the midway level after successful the toss and electing to discipline.

One of many early wickets to fall was opener Martin Guptill who had smashed 93 within the 16-run win over Scotland final day trip.

Namibia noticed openers Michael van Lingen (25) and Stephan Baard (21) make a gentle begin, serving to their group attain 56-3 on the halfway level.

However skilled seamers Tim Southee (2-15) and Trent Boult (2-20) utilized the brakes as Namibia have been solely ready so as to add 55 extra runs off the final 10 overs.

“Afghanistan are a extremely, actually sturdy aspect,” added Williamson of their subsequent opponents who’re nonetheless within the hunt for a semi-final place.

“They’ve performed so nicely on this event and have gotten match-winners all through their aspect. So we’re trying ahead to taking part in them.”

Namibia have one win within the Tremendous 12s courtesy of beating Scotland.

They convey the curtain down on the group stage on Monday after they deal with India.

“We did nicely for 15-16 overs within the center at the moment however the demise overs did not go our manner,” mentioned captain Gerhard Erasmus.

“We now have received yet another recreation to nail in opposition to India.

“It was fairly a troublesome pitch, 160 was a bit an excessive amount of at the moment.”