USA vs Namibia Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: USA clinch 31-run victory over Namibia

The moment everyone is waiting for... So after the West Indies trouncing Nepal at the Wankhede, the USA ease past Namibia at the Chepauk. What will the Premadasa hold in store? The mother of all clashes, India vs Pakistan, is all set to begin from 1.30 pm GMT but our buildup has already begun, with Pakistan winning the toss and electing to bowl first. Do hop into that matchcentre and have a very good Sunday! ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Wait and watch - So USA end the league stage with 2 wins out of 4 games, finishing with 4 points. Now, they can just sit and hope for the best. Given that their net run rate is closer to that of Pakistan's at this point, the Americans will hope that Pakistan lose to India in the next game and then go on to lose to Namibia as well. As far as the African side is concerned, the road ends for them at this World Cup but they would want to end their tournament in style, playing for pride, with a win over Pakistan on Wednesday, 18th February, 2026. That match is an afternoon game as well, starting at 9.30 am GMT, in SSC at Colombo.

Lot of our players play for Texas Super Kings - The victorious skipper of USA, MONANK PATEL, on being asked whether his side did any homework on Namibia, replies that they do the homework on every team and had done it on Namibia as well. Stresses that after winning the toss, he wanted to get off to a good start and then wanted to capitalize on it. Lauds the way Sanjay Krishnamurthi finished the innings and also praises his bowlers for ending the game nicely. On his free-flowing approach at the top, Patel says that he has opened the innings most of the times in his career and after the first 2 games, he decided to open again. Explains that his role is to play freely and express himself. Adds that in this game, he got an opportunity and is happy that his attempt came off. On Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Monank says that in the previous game, he (Monank) had spoken about Saiteja Mukkamalla and adds that Krishnamurthi is the same. Calls both the players as incredible talents in the USA squad. Adds that Krishnamurthi was under pressure as he could not capitalize in his last two innings but lauds the way he played and expressed himself in this match, calling it amazing, taking them to nearly 200. On the crowd here, Monank says that it feels like home. Calls the crowd as fantastic and thanks them for supporting his side. Cheekily ends by saying that he feels that a lot of the USA players are playing for the Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket and hence, the USA are getting that support!

Could not adapt - The captain of Namibia, GERHARD ERASMUS, on this defeat possibly being due to the toss, admits that it might be so, stating that he thought it was a nice wicket, and it did turn out to be a really good scoring wicket, but feels unfortunate that his batters came under pressure. However, he quickly adds that no one can control tosses and it is the way it is. On his bowlers suffering early, Erasmus says that they tried to hit their plan from the previous game, but admits that the Powerplay was too tough to handle. Credits the USA for their hitting but also praises his own bowlers for bowling the side back into the game. On Willem Myburgh, Gerhard says that he has good control over his leggies. The captain adds further that in this format, the top bowlers seem to be leg spinners and he is going from strength to strength. On his thoughts at the halfway mark of the run chase, GE says that Namibia were in the game at that stage. Details that they had the platform and thought that the batters coming in would have time to get adjusted to the wicket but admits that they could not adapt to the slower balls bowled by USA, who, he believes, were very deceptive. On playing for pride in their next game, Gerhard Erasmus smiles and says that for this team, it is about taking down the big boys and that certainly is their plan.

Player Of The Match - For his blistering knock of an unbeaten 68 (33), USA's SANJAY KRISHNAMURTHI has been adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. On being asked about his innings, Krishnamurthi says that against the spinners, the ball was holding up a bit and hence, he did not want to take any unnecessary risks. Adds that his strength is to hit the ball off the back foot, so he just bided his time, waiting for those balls and post the 14th over, decided to go on an all-out attack. On whether the excellent start start by the openers helped him, Sanjay nods in the affirmative, stating that both openers going past the Powerplay with at least 50 on the board is very crucial for the middle order, especially on such a pitch, with the ball turning after getting old. On his own batting, SK says that the USA had a month-long camp in Sri Lanka. Adds that in that camp, he was working on power-hitting stuff, knowing which are the balls in his zone that he can hit for sixes. On the crowd, Sanjay Krishnamurthi says that for a game like USA-Namibia, to have a crowd like this is incredible. Adds that back home, they don't get such a crowd and appreciates everyone for coming out to watch this match. On being asked to rate his knock, Sanjay replies that it might come in the top 5 or 6 of his T20 career but calls it one of his best for the USA.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Making the most of the conditions - Earlier in the day, after opting to bat first, the United States made the most of the conditions. They batted with a plan, with the openers putting on a strong show, registering their maiden 50-run stand of this edition, while Sanjay Krishnamurthi ensured that he batted till the end from the number 4 position. They did slow down in the middle overs, managing just 51 runs from overs 7-14, but 65 in the first 6 and 83 in the last 6 more than made up for that, with skipper Monank taking care of the opening overs with a fine 52 and Krishnamurthi handling the death with a blistering unbeaten 68. The Namibian bowlers enjoyed only that middle period, where it seemed like the spinners were wrestling the control away from the Americans, especially through Willem Myburgh, but leaked way too many runs in the other two phases. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

Not too good, but good enough! Not the best of bowling displays by the USA, but they will take it. They were inconsistent and erratic in the first half, but came back really well in the next. They went for 97 runs in the first 10 overs, but the next set of 10 went for just 71 runs. While it is admissible that the pitch became very difficult to bat with the ball getting old, the bowlers rallied around and varied their lines, lengths and pace really well. Shadley van Schalkwyk was the standout once again, with 2 wickets, taking his tally to 13 in the tournament, 5 better than the next best - South Africa's Lungi Ngidi!

Well begun, but ... It was a decent start by Namibia with the bat. The top 3 got together to forge partnerships, and were 99/1 in the 11th over. But once the set batter, Louren Steenkamp, the only batter to cross 35, fell, it just became too difficult for the new batters to adapt to the surface. Eventually, they could not find the boundaries at will. Factor this - First 10 overs - Namibia hit 9 fours and 4 sixes | Last 10 overs - Namibia hit 4 fours and a solitary six. Just got choked up and though Zane Green tried his best in the end, he just did not have any batting partner.

Battle of might - Sixes hit by the USA - 11 | Sixes conceded by the USA - 5. There is the difference. Margin of difference? 31 runs. That's 5 sixes. Namibia were going on par till the 10th over, but after that, just like the USA, they could not hit against the older ball. However, unlike the Americans, who had one set batter bat deep and bring out the big strokes at the death, the African side kept losing wickets and momentum with the required rate increasing every over and fell way off track.

Staying alive - The Americans just about stay alive in this edition of the World Cup. Their league games are done and all they can do now is wait and hope. They have ended their league stage pretty well, with convincing wins over the Netherlands and Namibia.

Dylan Leicher walks in next, at number 8, replacing JJ Smit, to face what should be the final ball of the match.

Ali Khan to Dylan Leicher, A dot ball it will be to finish. Short and outside off, Dylan Leicher looks to slap it through the off side but misses. USA WIN BY 31 RUNS!

Ali Khan to JJ Smit, OUT! CAUGHT! That will come as a relief for Ali Khan. Something for him from this game at last. A good short ball, around middle, JJ Smit goes for the hook, but there is extra bounce on the ball. Smit is cramped for room and only manages to get a glove on the ball. It lobs up in the air and the keeper, Shayan Jahangir trots back a couple of steps to complete the formalities. A fighting knock from Smit.

Ali Khan to JJ Smit, FOUR! In the air, but in the gap. On a length, outside off, JJ Smit opens the face of his bat and steers it uppishly, over backward point for a boundary. Moves to 31 (22).

Ali Khan to JJ Smit, That's a perfect delivery. Full and right on the popping crease around off and middle stump, JJ Smit just about manages to dig it out.

Ali Khan to Ruben Trumpelmann, How has Ali Khan managed to miss from there? Another yorker, tails back into the middle stump. Ruben Trumpelmann stays back and hammers it straight back at the non-striker. JJ Smit fails to get out of the way and gets a blow on the pads. He is also well outside his crease as the ball rolls to the bowler. Khan opts to underarm the throw from a few yards out and misses. The batters also get a single on the overthrow.

Ali Khan to JJ Smit, Just a single. A yorker on middle and leg stump, Smit goes deep in the crease and drills it down to long on for one.

Final over then. And Ali Khan is indeed given a chance to improve on his bowling figures. 3-0-37-0 so far.

Shadley van Schalkwyk to Ruben Trumpelmann, Full and wide outside off, Trumpelmann carves this wide of long off but will get just a couple. 13 from the over and it will be 4-0-30-2 for Shadley van Schalkwyk in this match.

Shadley van Schalkwyk to JJ Smit, Outside off, full again, lofted down to long off for a single.

Shadley van Schalkwyk to JJ Smit, SIX! CLUBBED! Going down fighting, is Smit. On a length, outside off, JJ Smit hangs back and swings it cleanly straight back over the sightscreen.

Shadley van Schalkwyk to JJ Smit, Nailed in the blockhole. Full and around the sixth stump line at 125 kph, it is the wide yorker and JJ Smit fails to jam it out. 

Shadley van Schalkwyk to JJ Smit, Two more and USA won't mind that at all. Full and wide outside off, Smit squeezes it away wide to the right of deep point and canters back for the second run.

Shadley van Schalkwyk to JJ Smit, Hit firmly by JJ Smit but not firm enough. A full-pitched delivery on off, Smit hangs back and pummels it to the right of long off for a couple of runs.

Zane Green has not recovered from the injury suffered and won't be able to participate any more with the bat. As it stands, Zane Green is retired out.

Drama in the middle! Just after executing his reverse, Zane Green has been RETIRED OUT! That's nice, but isn't it too late? Anyway, Ruben Trumpelmann walks in next, at number 7, replacing Green. With the ball, Ali Khan has been expensive so far. Will he be allowed to complete his 4 overs? Not right now. Shadley van Schalkwyk will bowl out first. 3-0-17-2 so far.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Zane Green, FOUR! Creativity, but is it too late? A full toss, down the leg side, Zane Green brings out the reverse and scoops it over short third for a boundary. 9 from the over and Saurabh Netravalkar finishes with bowling figures of 4-0-27-1.

Saurabh Netravalkar to JJ Smit, Very full, wide outside off, JJ Smit steers this behind point for a run.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Zane Green, Very full, outside off, Zane Green leans and works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Saurabh Netravalkar to JJ Smit, Smit walks past the off stump and the bowler bowls a full ball wide outside the off stump. This is squeezed away to covers for a single.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Zane Green, A review burnt by USA! Very full and angled into the pads, Zane Green shuffles to the off side and looks to flick but seems to have missed it. The ball goes off the pads to mid-wicket and the batters cross over. There is a half-hearted appeal for LBW, which is turned down. However, the keeper seems confident and the review is taken. UltraEdge shows a spike as the ball passes the inside edge and it stays Not Out. Just a single then.

Saurabh Netravalkar to JJ Smit, DROPPED! A tough chance put down by Shubham Ranjane. Banged in a bit shorter and on off, JJ Smit backs away a touch and slashes it over backward point. Ranjane is a bit slow to race towards it and just can't reach it on the lunging dive. The ball bounces into the hands and pops out as the batters get a single.

Ali Khan to Zane Green, FOUR! A BOUNDARY AFTER 30 BALLS! A short ball, slower in pace and into the surface, Zane Green waits for the ball and then leaps and upper cuts it over short third for a boundary!

Ali Khan to Zane Green, Following the batter down the leg side once again, ZG takes it on the full and clips it behind square leg. Two fielders try to get across - deep square leg and fine leg. In the end, Mohammad Mohsin from the former position gets to the ball, slides and pushes it towards his partner, saving the boundary. Two runs taken, two saved.

Ali Khan to JJ Smit, Very full, outside off, JJ drives it towards long off for another single.

Ali Khan to JJ Smit, WIDE. A cross-seam ball, full and wide outside off, too wide to be played at and Smit lets it be.

Ali Khan to Zane Green, Excellent adjustment by the bowler. Green gets a long way across but in advance. Ali Khan sees that and slows the pace down and bowls it well outside off. All the batter can do is guide it straight to short third for one.

Ali Khan to JJ Smit, Short and wide outside off, JJ Smit punches it through point for a run.

Ali Khan returns. 2-0-26-0 so far.

Ali Khan to Zane Green, IN THE AIR... JUST SHORT! Full, outside off, from around the wicket, with a round-arm action, Zane Green drives it uppishly but mistimes it towards mid off. Milind Kumar over there, charges in for the catch but then realizes that it is not going to carry to him. Puts his body behind the line and does well to prevent the ball from going behind, keeping the batters to a single.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Zane Green, Sensational over as only 4 runs come from the 16th! Once again, Saurabh follows ZG down the leg side, and even though it is a full toss, the batter can only work it towards deep mid-wicket for one more.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Zane Green, Another dot ball. Netravalkar sees Zane back away to the leg side and tries to attack the stumps. Goes pretty full, but misses the leg stump by an inch as the batter slashes and misses too.

Saurabh Netravalkar to JJ Smit, A low full toss, outside off, Smit gets across and drives it through the covers, for just one.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Zane Green, Full and outside off, Green comes down the track and works it with the angle through mid-wicket for a run.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Zane Green, Short and outside off, Zane Green slashes but misses.

Saurabh Netravalkar to JJ Smit, Saurabh Netravalkar is back on. 2-0-14-1 so far. Full and outside off, JJ Smit drives it through the covers for a single.

Shadley van Schalkwyk to Zane Green, A sharp bouncer to end the over, around middle and leg, Green lets it go, thinking it will be wided, but it is deemed legal. A wicket and just 4 runs from the over, Shadley van Schalkwyk's bowling figures read 3-0-17-2 so far.

Shadley van Schalkwyk to Zane Green, Short and outside off, Zane Green steers it behind point to get off the mark with a couple.

Into the middle order of Namibia now, are the USA. From the American wicketkeeper, the focus shifts to his counterpart as Zane Green walks in next, at number 6, replacing his skipper, Gerhard Erasmus.