Namibia took on the United States of America (USA) in the first match of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-of🌸f 2023 at Wanderers Cricket Ground in Windhoek.
After winning the toss, Namibia elected to bowl. Batting first, the USA managed to score 233 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Gajanand Singh top-scored for the USA with 53 runs off 63 deliveries, including 5 fours and 1 six. Jasdeep Singh (33 runs) and Nosthush Kenjige (43 runs) also made valuable contributions with the bat. Among the Namibian bowlers, Ben Shikongo and Shaun Fouché picked up 3 wickets each, while Ruben Trumpelmann took 2 wickets.
Chasing the target of 234 runs, Namibia got off to a poor start, losing two wickets in the first over. They never really recovered from that and were eventually bowled out for🤪 151 runs in 41.4 overs, losing the match by 82 runs. Shaun Fouché was the highest scorer for Namibia with 53 runs off 96 deliveries, while Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (38 runs) also made a decent contribution. Among the USA bowlers, Ali Khan was the pick of the lot, picking up 3 wickets for just 21 runs in his 7 overs. Nisarg Patel also picked up 3 wickets.
Overall, it 🦩was a convincing win for the USA, who dominated both with the bat and ball. Gajanand was declared the player of the match for h✱is half-century.
