In a recent five-match T20I series, Namibia had beaten Oman but only just, winning 3-2
Namibia, competing in their third consecutive T20 World Cup, will be seeking to improve on their prior success. They surprised many by qualifying for the Super 12s in 2021, at the cost of Ireland and the Netherlands, and overcame Sri Lanka in the first round in 2022, but did not advance. They advanced to the T20 World Cup 2024 by sweeping the African qualifier, winning all six games. With England and Australia in their group, they will realise that their best opportunity at the Super 8s is to beat Oman and Scotland and then pull off an upset.
However, Oman, their first opponent, could provide stiff competition. When the two teams met in a five-match T20I series in April, Oman came close, but Namibia eventually won 3-2. Oman, making their third appearance in the T20 World Cup, enters the tournament with momentum. They advanced to the ACC Premier Cup final, winning five consecutive games before losing to UAE in the final. Aqib Ilyas has taken over as captain for the World Cup, succeeding the seasoned Zeeshan Maqsood.
David Wiese, one of the main reasons for Namibia’s successful 2021 campaign, has since become a T20 globetrotter, competing in other franchise competitions such as the IPL, the Hundred, and the PSL. He has also played in the CPL and MLC, providing him a feel for the conditions offered by the two T20 World Cup hosts. Namibia would hope that the experience he has gathered over the last few years will prepare him for a successful campaign, as he is critical to their ambitions with both bat and ball.
Aqib Ilyas is not only a top-order batsman, but also a capable spinner. He was the ACC Premier Cup’s highest wicket-taker, with 12 scalps in five matches at an economy rate of 6.22. In the series finale against Namibia, he took 2 for 21 from three overs before scoring a 29-ball 51 in a failed pursuit of 213. Namibia will be mindful of the threat he poses, but how he handles the additional burden of leading the squad remains to be seen.
