Cricket Namibia were marketing their first ever official match against South Africa as the launch event for their redeveloped Wanderers Cricket Ground, now known as the Namibia Cricket Ground. In reality, several matches had already been played their since redevelopment, but the official launch could not have gone better for the home side as they beat the visitors from the last ball for a famous win.
Yes, the South African Test team is in Pakistan so this wasn't a full strength South African side, but every member had previous T20I experience, particularly Quinton de Kock - returning from a brief international retirement - and Reeze Hendricks.
After South African captain Donovan Ferreira won the toss and chose to bat first, South Africa made what looked to be a low score of 134-8 from their 20 overs. Ruben Trumpelmann was the pick of the bowlers for the home side, taking 3-28, whilst Jason Smith's 31 was the top score for the visitors.
Namibia recovered from early losses and kept close to the required rate, accelerating towards the end when Zane Green entered the fray at the fall of the fifth wicket. With 23 runs needed from the last two overs, Namibia took 12 from the 19th over, leaving them needing 11 from the last.
Green flicked the ball over fine leg for a six to start the final over, before running a single to put Trumpelmann on strike with four needed from four balls. Three runs came from the next two balls to bring the scores level with Green on strike. A dot ball delayed what looked to be the inevitable, and it came when Green hit the last ball over midwicket to the boundayr to secure victory.
Namibia celebrate their win (Cricket Namibia)
The result is only South Africa's third loss to an African side in an official match, the previous two both coming against Zimbabwe in 1999 and 2000 under the captaincy of Hansie Cronje.
For Namibia, it was the perfect "launch" of their redevleoped venue, and they will no doubt hope to see more days like this if they qualify for the World Cup they are set to co-host in 2027.
