T20 World Cup: USA beat Namibia to keep Super Eights hopes alive

Electing to bat first, USA went full throttle against the fellow associate team Namibia, winning by 31 runs in Chennai. Captain Monank Patel and Shayan Jahangir set the tone for the innings with a 68-run opening partnership in 41 balls.

USA plundered 65-0 in the Powerplay, with the help of four fours and four sixes. Patel also became the first US batter to notch 1,000 runs in T20Is during his half-century.

Leg-spinner Willem Myburgh stalled the US march by packing off the openers. The in-form Saiteja Mukkamalla also fell to Gerhard Erasmus after Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton completed a superb catch at the boundary.

It was only a brief lull as the US middle order picked up the pace again and cantered to a big finish. Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Milind Kumar (28) used up only 47 balls for a 87-run fourth wicket stand.

Going at a strike rate of over 200, Krishnamurthi struck six sixes, including one to bring up his half-century, and four fours for 68.

Erasmus and Myburgh picked up two wickets each, but it was a difficult afternoon for Namibian bowlers. Their patchy fielding did not help matters either as USA made 199-4.

It’s a hefty target and Namibia have charged out of the blocks, scoring 57-1 in the Powerplay. Shadley van Schalkwyk, the top wicket-taker in the World Cup so far, provided the breakthrough once again with a smart caught and bowled to dismiss Jan Frylinck.

When Louren Steenkamp was leading the charge, Namibia were able to keep pace with their rivals. The opener struck five fours and three sixes on the way to 58. However, USA pegged them back with the wickets of set batters Steenkamp and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (28).

Despite a handy 31 by JJ Smit lower down the order, Namibia were not able to recover enough to threaten the US target. Van Schalkwyk was the pick of the bowlers with 2-30 as Namibia replied with 168-6.

It was the USA’s second successive win at the T20 World Cup 2026. (ICC)