Zimbabwe took four wickets in the final over to secure a narrow five-run victory over host Namibia on Monday in the third match of the T20I Tri-nation series also involving South Africa.
Brad Evans finished with 3-41 as Namibia fell short of the target, chasing Zimbabwe’s 195-6 but being bowled out for 190 with the last ball of a high-scoring contest at the Namibia Cricket Ground.
Zimbabwe was put in to bat and started brightly with openers Ben Curran (38) and Brian Bennett (32) both getting among the runs, but it lost five wickets for 15 runs in a four-over spell in the middle of its innings.
An unbeaten 94-run partnership in 48 balls between Ryan Burl (57 not out) and Evans (37 not out) then saw Zimbabwe climb to an imposing 195-6 off its 20 overs.
It looked to be well in command as Namibia slumped to 68-5 in the 11th over, but the host fought back with Zane Green and Alexander Busing-Volschenk smashing runs in 51 balls.
Namibia needed 16 runs in the last over, but first Green was run out by a direct throw from deep for 54 and two balls later Busing-Volschenk (57) was caught behind off Evans with a flying catch from wicketkeeper Tadiwanashe Marumani, ending home hopes.
Zimbabwe is back in action on Tuesday against South Africa. All three countries have one win under their belts after two games each and play each other twice. The top two finishers contest a final at the weekend.










