Namibia shock 2014 T20 World Cup champions Sri Lanka in the opening game of the 2022 edition. Chasing 164 runs, Sri Lanka scored 108 runs to win. “What we’ve achieved now is beyond what we thought we could do,” says John Frelenk, who starred with bat and ball for Namibia. The Netherlands overtakes the United Arab Emirates.
Sri Lanka suffered a 55-run loss to Namibia in their T20 World Cup opener after the 2014 champions were bowled out chasing a target of 164 in Geelong.
Sri Lanka, who are seen as strong favorites to progress to England’s Super 12 pool after winning Group A and triumphing in the recent Asia Cup, scored 108 runs in exactly 19 overs to give Namibia a famous victory.
Namibia’s only other win against a Test nation was against Ireland during the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates last year.
Namibian bowlers David Wiese, Bernard Schultz, Ben Shikongo and John Freelin took two wickets apiece during Sri Lanka’s stunning reply – Sri Lankan captain Dasan Shanaka saw his men sink 21-3 in the power play. Kar top scored with a paltry 29.
Frylink (44 off 28 balls) and JJ Smit (31 off 16) had earlier been instrumental with the bat for Namibia, who took their side from 93-6 to 163-7 at Kardinia Park. Scored 68 runs in the last five overs.
Namibia are now eyeing a second consecutive Super 12 appearance having qualified for the stage in their maiden T20 World Cup last year, but Sri Lanka cannot afford any more mistakes as they face the UAE on Tuesday and then Will face the Netherlands two days later.
