Cricket is all about surprises and no one can guess the result until the final ball. In a huge turnaround, Namibia has qualified for the Super 12s of the mega event – ICC T20 World Cup 2021 after knocking out Ireland.
Ireland won the toss and opted to bat first. Openers Stirling and Kevin O’ Brien added 62 runs in 7.2 overs before Namibia started troubling them. Apart from them, only Balbirnie could manage to score 21. The rest of the squad failed to reach the double-figure as well.
While Jan Frylinck picked up 3 wickets, Wiese claimed 2 and helped the team restrict the opponent within a below-par score of 125.
While chasing, Namibia openers didn’t have a flying start. But later, Gerhard Erasmus smashed a 49-ball 53 along with others’ cameo and sealed the deal.
Here is how Twitterati reacted to the win of Namibia:
Namibia are into the Super 12s of the #T20WorldCup. Africa is represented twice in the tournament. What a result! This is the first time they've beaten a Test playing nation. And their best result at at a major tournament. Halaaaaaala! #cricket
— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) October 22, 2021
MY GOODNESS, NAMIBIA, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) October 22, 2021
What a result for Namibia. A huge blow for Ireland and I feel for them. Let’s blow off this qualifying stage and let teams that qualify for a World Cup play.They’ve earned the right. #T20WorldCup
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) October 22, 2021
what a moment for #Namibia.. David “Qalandar” Wiese is on 🔥 #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/tArderFpkT
— Sawera Pasha (@sawerapasha) October 22, 2021
Namibia has done something remarkable, cricket world should celebrate how associate members are making history.
These players are not superstars back home, but they have stories to inspire us.
For cricket, in particular, it's the chapter of a new beginning – what a story!
— Tahir Ibn Manzoor (@TahirIbnManzoor) October 22, 2021
David Wiese's inclusion has made the difference for Namibia ultimately. No doubt that the entire squad is highly talented but Wiese's all-round performance was crucial.
Wiese in the last two games:
3 wkts at 6.75 Econ
94 runs, 162.06 SR, 0 Dismissals #T20WorldCup #NAMvIRE— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) October 22, 2021
Great moment for #Namibia to make it to Round 2..This #t20worldcup will keep springing delightful surprises, no doubt.. That's the beauty of the #T20 format.. #ICCT20WorldCup
— W V Raman (@wvraman) October 22, 2021
Congratulations Namibia 🇳🇦 An extremely proud moment. To beat Netherlands & Ireland and to qualify for the Super 12s in their first ever T20 World Cup is really commendable. Take a bow #NAMvIRE #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/V7R5hhSG33
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 22, 2021
“We are very proud and it means a lot” – Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus
Gerhard Erasmus, the Namibia captain, stated that as a team they were very happy with the way they have performed and want to continue their run in the Super 12s. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Gerhard Erasmus said:
“We said in the previous press conference that we are in a pretty tight ship and I think for a small cricketing nation, we are very proud and it means a lot. I think the achievement is one heck of a one and I think we should be proud of ourselves tonight.
“I count on my senior players (Wiese) to stand up when the pressure is on in a tough game like this and two of us did it tonight and hopefully throughout the tournament we can continue doing that. Not yet (has it sunk in yet?), maybe on the way back home or maybe only tomorrow or maybe at the end of the tournament,” he added.
David Wiese, who joined Namibia, days ahead of the T20 World Cup, played a crucial role in helping his side win back to back games and make it to the Super 12s.
“It’s completely overwhelming. I didn’t think I would get this award after the way Erasmus’ batted. It was a proper captain’s innings. I’m accepting this but I think it belongs to him. Lot of hard work has gone into this from the boys. There were a few minor blips but overall, it was a strong performance,” Wiese said.
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