T20 World Cup 2022, UAE vs NAM: Namibia suffer heartbreak as UAE play spoilsport

Muhammad Waseem slammed a crucial fifty [Source: Twitter]

The tenth group-stage encounter of the ongoing T20 World Cup witnessed UAE knock Namibia out of the competition with a consolation win. 

Namibia, who started their campaign in an emphatic manner, couldn't sustain the momentum, which led to their unexpected first-round exit from the showpiece event. On the other hand, Namibia's dramatic loss assured Netherlands' qualification to the Super 12 stage. 

Waseem and Rizwan propel UAE to 148

After opting to bat first, UAE got off to a slow start, with Muhammad Waseem and Vriitya Aravind managing only 39 runs in the first 8.1 overs. 

However, Waseem changed his gears immediately after Aravind's dismissal, adding vital 58 runs for the second wicket with Chundangapoyil Rizwan. While Rizwan smashed three fours and one six for his timely 29-ball 43, Waseem anchored the innings with distinction, amassing a fine fifty. 

After Waseem fell prey to Shikongo, Basil Hameed played a breathtaking 25-run cameo to ensure a fitting finish for UAE. 

Namibia could pick only three wickets, equally shared by David Wiese, Bernard Scholtz and Ben Shikongo. 

Namibia fall short despite Wiese's late blitz

Wiese played a scintillating knock [Source: Twitter]

The chase turned out to be as disastrous as it could be for Namibia, as they lost three wickets in the powerplay itself. Things went further downhill with skipper Gerhard Erasmus' dismissal, who looked solid for his 18-ball 16. If this was not enough, Zahoor Khan came back to remove Jan Frynlick and Zane Green in his second over, swinging the game entirely into UAE's favour. 

But David Wiese and Ruben Trumpelmann put up a tremendous fight, stitching a crucial stand of 70 runs for the eighth wicket. Wiese exhibited his incredible finishing skills for the umpteenth time, scoring a magnificent 36-ball 55. However, Muhammad Waseem held his nerves to deliver a brilliant final over and shatter Namibia's World Cup dreams. 

Brief Scores

United Arab Emirates: 148/3 (20)
Muhammad Waseem 50 (41), C Rizwan 43* (29);
Ben Shikongo 1/8 (1), Bernard Scholtz 1/22 (4), David Wiese 1/27 (4)

Namibia: 141/8 (20)
David Wiese 55 (36), Ruben Trumpelmann 25* (24);
Basil Hameed 2/17 (3), Zahoor Khan 2/20 (4)

United Arab Emirates won by seven runs. 

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