It was Monday, June 3rd and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 saw two different matches held on the day to display how volatile Twenty20 cricket is.
Namibia and Oman Lock Horns in a Last-Ball Tie
In the first match of the day, Namibia and Oman faced off, in a thrilling encounter, during the initial game at the beautiful Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. Namibia was not very sure about starting with batting due to being on unsure grounds. Luckily enough their middle order boosted the scorecard, thanks to explosive David Wiese who scored 32 runs. Although for only two wickets they finished with 109 runs which was quite fair enough
Oman’s chase unfolded with similar turbulence. Openers Jatinder Singh (27 runs) and Aqib Ilyas (22 runs) provided a decent platform, but wickets fell at regular intervals, putting pressure on the middle order. Asif Hussain (18 runs) and Mohammad Nadeem (17 runs) chipped in with valuable contributions, keeping Oman in the hunt.
The drama intensified in the final over. With Oman needing 7 runs to win, Namibia’s Wiese delivered a nerve-wracking over. He dismissed Naseem Khusi for a single run off the first ball, followed by a dot ball. Asif Hussain then smashed a boundary off the third ball, followed by a single off the fourth. With two runs required off two balls, Oman’s hopes rested on Khawar Ali. However, Wiese held his nerve and delivered a pinpoint yorker, dismissing Ali and sending the entire stadium into a frenzy.
A super-over ensued to decide the winner. Batting first Namibia scored 14 runs which was not too bad. The runs included a six by Craig Williams and some smart running. Oman tried to chase this target down. Unfortunately, they lost both of their opening batsmen without scoring any runs – it was Ruben Trumpelmann who took these two wickets. Mihammad Waheed however held his nerve and hit a boundary plus two singles thus keeping Oman just one run behind the target But Wiese, once again, emerged as the hero, dismissing Aaqib Ilyas with the final ball of the super over to clinch a thrilling tie for Namibia.
South Africa Start with a Hard-Fought Victory Over Sri Lanka
In the first game of Group D at the recently constructed Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, South Africa and Sri Lanka faced off. Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat. Unfortunately, this did not play well because South African bowlers led by the fierce Anrich Nortje dismantled them off. Nortje was unstoppable as he took his best bowling figures of his career with 4 wickets for 7 runs breaking the back of Sri Lankan top order. However, when they got to Wanindu Hasaranga who scored 15 runs off 12 balls and Dushmantha Chameera 12 off 10 during powerplay their hope seemed in sight, though not much was translated because other batters below them did poorly leading their team into losing all wickets at 77 runs after playing 19 overs which can be considered quick game in cricket.
Chasing a modest target, South Africa was expected to cruise to victory. The Sri Lankan bowlers had a hard time at the Proteas batsmen, mainly Nuwan Thushara, who took two wickets for 18 runs. Reeza Hendricks got out in the second over, leaving South Africa with no options. However, the experienced Quinton de Kock (20 runs) and Temba Bavuma (19 runs) steadied the ship with a crucial partnership. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, with David Miller (18* runs) ensuring South Africa crossed the finish line in 16.2 overs, winning by 6 wickets.
