The United States kept their dream of T20 World Cup glory alive with a commanding 31-run victory over Namibia at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The result proved fatal for the African nation, as their third consecutive defeat in Group A confirmed their elimination from the tournament.
USA Set a Formidable Target
After being put into bat, the American side displayed remarkable composure on a Chennai surface that offered decent carry. They amassed a formidable total of 199 for 4, underpinned by a blistering performance from Sanjay Krishnamurthi. Coming in at a crucial juncture, Krishnamurthi remained unbeaten on 68 from just 33 deliveries—an innings that ultimately earned him the Player of the Match accolade.
Captain Monank Patel provided the perfect platform with a well-crafted 52, while Milind Kumar and Jahangir contributed vital cameos to push the score toward the 200-mark. Despite disciplined spells from Namibia’s Jan Myburgh and Gerhard Erasmus, the American lower-middle order exploited the death overs with clinical precision.
The Turning Point in the Chase
Namibia’s response began with surprising aggression. At the halfway mark, they appeared to be in the ascendancy, cruising at 97 for 1 after 10 overs. Opening batter JP Kotze and Nikolaas Steenkamp took the attack to the American bowlers, momentarily silencing the vocal US supporters.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically during the middle overs. Following a flurry of wickets, Namibia’s run rate cratered. In a catastrophic period for the chasing side, they went 30 consecutive deliveries without finding the boundary. This lack of intent allowed the USA’s bowling unit, led by the economical Netravalkar and the clinical Schalkwyk, to squeeze the life out of the innings.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Top Performers |
| USA | 199/4 (20 Overs) | S. Krishnamurthi (68*), M. Patel (52) |
| Namibia | 168/6 (20 Overs) | N. Steenkamp (58), J. Smit (31) |
| Result | USA won by 31 runs | Player of the Match: S. Krishnamurthi |
While Namibia fought back late through JJ Smit, the required run rate had climbed beyond reach. They eventually finished on 168 for 6, bowing out of the competition with a sense of “what could have been.” For the United States, the victory ensures their final group fixtures carry immense weight as they vie for a historic spot in the Super Eight.