Namibia stages dramatic comeback to edge Canada in World Cup League 2 cricket play

Namibia rallied for a dramatic comeback to defeat Canada by 12 runs in ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 play Saturday.

The one-day international in Windhoek — Namibia's capital — featured several shifts in momentum as Canada, its inning halted temporarily by rain, chased a reduced victory target of 167 in 43 overs according to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stein formula. Namibia had finished at 186 all out in 49 overs.

Canada looked poised to win after its two openers combined for 79 runs. But with five overs to play, Canada needed 35 runs with five wickets to spare.

That was reduced to 16 runs off the final 12 balls with just two wickets remaining as Namibia came on.

Canada was reduced to one wicket left when Shahid Ahmadzai was caught behind on two with Canada at 154 for nine. That brought on No. 11 batsman Parveen Kumar, who was reduced to gripping the bat with one hand due to a finger injury.

He lasted just two balls before being judged out leg-before-wicket. An unhappy Kumar, disputing the umpire's decision, threw his bat in the air in disgust as he left the crease.

Canada finished at 154 all out in 49 overs with Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus, named player of the match, taking four wickets.

Namibia won the toss and elected to bat at Wanderers Cricket Ground. J.P. Kotze led the batting attack with 48 runs with Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton contributing 47 and Nikolaas David 33.

Kaleem Sana and Shahid Ahmadzai both took four wickets for Canada.

In response, Canadian teenage batsman Yuvraj Samra scored his first one-day international half-century in a 79-run opening partnership with Navneet Dhaliwal.

Solid partnership between the openers today!