HIGHLIGHTS Zimbabwe vs Namibia, Namibia in Zimbabwe 3 T20I Series 2025, 1st T20- Result, Scorecard

We are back for the chase. The Zimbabwe players are out in the middle. Jan Frylinck and Malan Kruger to open for Namibia. Wellington Masakadza to bowl first.

...THE CHASE...

Namibia will think about where they went wrong! Maybe they didn't read the conditions before the toss but despite opting to bowl first, they never stemmed the run flow and chased the game throughout the innings. Almost every bowler went above 10 runs per over, which just tells how much they struggled to build the pressure. Right then, Namibia have a mountain to climb. It's a belter of a pitch to bat on. Namibia need to apply themselves and a good start is a must. Can they chase it down? Stay tuned to find out.

A fantastic knock from Zimbabwe and they have successfully breached the 200-mark. Zimbabwe have one man to thank, the 21-year-old Brian Bennett was at his best today, eyeing his maiden T20I century but fell just 6 runs short. Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani went berserk at the top, unjustifying Namibia's decision to bowl first. Zimbabwe hammered them all over the park right from the word go and locked in the target of around 200 very early on in the innings. Tadiwanashe Marumani was the aggressor initially but once he fell after his fifty, Brian Bennett picked up the baton and changed gears. Ryan Burl, too, played a fine cameo of 22 off 9 deliveries, locking in for the big target. The skipper, Sikandar Raza, joined in at the fag end of the innings to put the icing on the cake.

Sikandar Raza does what he always does. Once again, delivers a perfect cameo of 23 runs off just 11 deliveries to wrap up the Zimbabwe innings.

JJ Smit to Sikandar Raza, SIX! Sikandar Raza delivers an ideal end to his side's innings! JJ Smit gets the yorker wrong and it ends up being a low full toss, on middle and leg. Sikandar gets low and whips it off the pads over deep square leg for a biggie. 18 runs off the final over and Zimbabwe end up with 211 on the board!

JJ Smit to Sikandar Raza, Wide! Smit sprays a yorker down leg. Raza looks to get some bat on the tickle but misses.

JJ Smit to Sikandar Raza, Takes pace off and this is outside off, on a good length. Raza swings to go back over the bowler's head but misses.

JJ Smit to Sikandar Raza, FOUR! Easy pickings! JJ goes for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, at the pads. Raza gets low and picks it up off the pads to the right of deep square leg for a boundary.

JJ Smit to Sikandar Raza, Wide! Angled away from the right-hander but it ends up going beyond the tramline on off. Sikandar Raza lets it be. 200 comes up for Zimbabwe!

JJ Smit to Tashinga Musekiwa, Very full, on middle and leg, Tashinga Musekiwa clips it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

JJ Smit to Tashinga Musekiwa, Wide! Does not offer any pace and tries to keep it away from the batter's arc. Tashinga Musekiwa swings at it but fails to lay any bat on this good-length delivery. Wide given.

JJ Smit to Sikandar Raza, Off-pace, on a shortish length, on off, Raza pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

JJ Smit to Sikandar Raza, On a back of a length, on off and middle, Sikandar hits through the line to the left of long off for a couple of runs.

JJ Smit to Sikandar Raza, Wide! Dug in short by JJ but it loops over the batter's head. Sikandar Raza attempts the hook but misses. Wide called for height.

Tashinga Musekiwa comes in next.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Brian Bennett, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Brian Bennett falls 6 short of what would have been a maiden T20I ton! Excellent knock nonetheless. This is a full ball pushed across the right-hander. Bennett walks across for the scoop but does not quite manage to get under the ball. Ends up spooning it in front of short fine leg. The keeper, Zane Green moves to his left and takes the catch.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Brian Bennett, SIX! That has gone many a mile! The length is pulled back but it is right in the hitting arc, on middle and leg. Brian Bennett clears his front leg and heaves across the line. Deposits it way over deep mid-wicket fence for a six.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Up and over! Attempted yorker gone wrong for Ruben. Low full toss, outside off, Brian Bennett stays deep in the crease and pumps it over mid off for a boundary.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Sikandar Raza, Low full toss, on off, Raza firms the drive to deep cover for a single.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Sikandar Raza, FOUR! Nicely done! Gets the yorker in, outside off, Sikandar Raza stays leg side and opens the bat face. Carves it away from the man at deep backward point. Jack Brassell sprints and dives in the deep to his left but in vain.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Brian Bennett, Full and at the stumps, Brian Bennett smashes it to long on for a single.

Ruben Trumpelmann to bowl the penultimate over.

JJ Smit to Brian Bennett, JJ takes pace off and bowls it into the wicket, outside off, Brian Bennett flat bats it to long off for a single. 8 runs off the over. Not a bad one for Namibia.

JJ Smit to Sikandar Raza, On a short of a length, punched to deep cover for a single.

JJ Smit to Sikandar Raza, Wide! Off-pace delivery, on a back of a length, Raza takes a step across his stumps and swings again but connects with thin air. Wide called as the ball ended up beyond the tramline.

JJ Smit to Sikandar Raza, Pushed across the batter, on a nagging length, Sikandar Raza swings to go down the ground but misses.

JJ Smit to Brian Bennett, On a good length, Brian Bennett expects the line to be outside off and he walks across the stumps early. Swipes it to deep square leg for a run.

JJ Smit to Brian Bennett, Into the surface, outside off, Brian Bennett slaps it with a horizontal bat to the left of long off for two more.

JJ Smit to Brian Bennett, Going across the batter from over the wicket, near the tramline on off, Brian Bennett is made to reach out and he cuts it to the right of deep point for a couple.

JJ Smit (2-0-10-0) is back on.

Alexander Volschenk to Sikandar Raza, And again! Off-pace delivery, on a length, on middle, Raza plays it with soft hands and just dabs it in the vacant mid-wicket region. A couple of fielders charge in from the deep but Raza comfortably completes the second run.

Alexander Volschenk to Sikandar Raza, Low full toss, slanting in at the pads. Raza places it to the left of deep backward square leg and comes charging back for the second run.

Sikandar Raza comes in next.

Alexander Volschenk to Ryan Burl, OUT! CAUGHT! Ryan Burl's entertaining stay has been cut short! Volschenk serves it on a length, on off, Burl has a swipe across the line and the bat turns in his hand at the point of impact. Hits it straight down the throat of deep mid-wicket, where Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton takes an easy catch around his face.

Alexander Volschenk to Ryan Burl, SIX! Half a chance! Alexander Volschenk switches to over the wicket and angles it across, on a length. Ryan walks closer to the line of the ball and goes down the ground. Hits it flat towards long on where the fielder leaps and stretches his right hand out ends up palming it over the fence.

Alexander Volschenk to Ryan Burl, FOUR! Crunched! Alexander Volschenk goes for the wide yorker but it ends up being a half-volley. Ryan frees his arms and drills it past extra cover for a boundary.

Alexander Volschenk to Ryan Burl, SIX! KABOOM! Ryan Burl gets in on the six-hitting act! Slightly too full from Alexander from around the wicket, on off. Burl holds his shape and swings through the line. Tonks it over long off for a six.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Brian Bennett, SIX! 18 runs off the over! Ruben Trumpelmann bends his back and goes short, around the left shoulder. Brian Bennett takes the short ball on and connects cleanly. Clears the deep backward square leg fielder for six more.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Brian Bennett, Off-pace delivery, on the shorter side, on middle, Brian Bennett pulls it right between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a brace.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Brian Bennett, Hurls it on a length, around the off pole, Brian Bennett walks across the stumps and plays the scoop. Manages to clear short fine leg but the ball does not have enough legs to reach the fence. It is mopped by the short fine leg fielder. Two runs taken.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Ryan Burl, Drifting onto the pads, fuller in length, Burl flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Brian Bennett, Angled across, on a shortish length, Bennett steers it to deep backward point for one.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Brian Bennett, SIX! Clean strike! On a hard length, on off, Brian Bennett stands tall and gets on top of it. Nails the pull over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Alexander Volschenk to Ryan Burl, A dot to end the over. Good length delivery, outside off, Ryan Burl hits it straight to backward point.

Alexander Volschenk to Ryan Burl, FOUR! HIT AWAY! Ryan Burl stands tall to this short ball, sees the width and flashes his bat to hit it past point for a boundary.

Alexander Volschenk to Ryan Burl, Alexander Volschenk sticks to the shorter-length and around off. Ryan Burl drops it in front of point.

Alexander Volschenk to Brian Bennett, Short of a length and on the hips. Bennett nudges it behind square on the leg side for one.

Alexander Volschenk to Brian Bennett, Wide! Spills it full and down the leg side. Bennett fails to tuck it away.

Alexander Volschenk to Ryan Burl, Bowls it on the fuller side and on leg, Ryan Burl nudges it to deep square leg for a single.

Ryan Burl is in at number 3.

Alexander Volschenk to Tadiwanashe Marumani, OUT! GONE! Namibia finally have the breakthrough! The humongous opening stand has been broken! Alexander Volschenk hits the surface hard and bowls it around off, Tadiwanashe Marumani gets tall to pull, doesn't time it well and top edges it to deep mid-wicket where the fielder runs in, dives and takes it. Good catch by Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton.

Gerhard Erasmus to Brian Bennett, FOUR MORE! 15 runs off the over. Tossed up full and on off. Bennett slog-sweeps it to deep mid-wicket. The fielder at deep mid-wicket runs across, dives and tries to push it towards the converging deep square leg fielder but the ball ends up trickling into the fence.

Gerhard Erasmus to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Huge over! Gerhard Erasmus goes a bit full and just outside off. Bennett tries to reverse sweep but edges it past the keeper and to third man for a boundary.

Gerhard Erasmus to Brian Bennett, FIFTY for Brian Bennett now! Zimbabwe have set a solid platform for a big score. Keeps it short and gives width again. Bennett slaps it hard through point for a couple of runs. Zimbabwe might change gears with 10 wickets in hand.

Gerhard Erasmus to Brian Bennett, FOUR! SHOT! Gerhard Erasmus offers some width outside off. Bennett cuts it through backward point and it races to the fence.

Gerhard Erasmus to Brian Bennett, Gerhard Erasmus bowls it quicker and flatter around off, Bennett keeps it out on the off side.

Gerhard Erasmus to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tadiwanashe Marumani tries to heave it across but Gerhard Erasmus smartly pushes it onto the leg side. TM plays off the inner half of the bat to square leg for one.

Alexander Volschenk to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Fractionally short and on middle, well-directed, this is pulled to deep square leg for a single.

Alexander Volschenk to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Pitches it up, outside off. Tadiwanashe Marumani creams it through covers, the fielder runs to his left from deep and keeps it down to two.

Alexander Volschenk to Brian Bennett, Alexander Volschenk hits the deck hard and serves it outside off. Bennett flashes his blade and slices it over cover for a single.

Alexander Volschenk to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Keeps it short and bowls outside off. Tadiwanashe Marumani flat bats it to point for a single.

Alexander Volschenk to Tadiwanashe Marumani, BEATEN! Shifts his line outside off and drags it short. Tadiwanashe Marumani gets across to pull but misses.

Alexander Volschenk to Brian Bennett, Alexander Volschenk pushes it full and channels it around off. Bennett chips his shot to mid-wicket for a single.

Gerhard Erasmus to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Two more to end the over! Flatter delivery, outside off, Tadiwanashe Marumani plays it late past point for a brace. Tidy over from Gerhard Erasmus.

Gerhard Erasmus to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Drops it short and well wide outside off. Tadiwanashe Marumani slaps it hard through point for a couple of runs. 100 up for Zimbabwe.

Gerhard Erasmus to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Drifts in a full ball, outside off. Tadiwanashe Marumani steps across to sweep but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Gerhard Erasmus to Brian Bennett, Gerhard Erasmus bowls a half-tracker, outside off. Bennett pulls it down to long on for a single.

Gerhard Erasmus to Brian Bennett, Quicker one, length delivery on off. Bennett punches it to cover.

Gerhard Erasmus to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Flights it full and on leg, Tadiwanashe Marumani bunts it to square leg for a single.

Jack Brassell to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Serves a bumper angling on middle, extra pace on it. Tadiwanashe Marumani looks to pull but is hurried and it goes off the gloves to short fine leg. One run.

Jack Brassell to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Good running! Bowls it full and on middle and off. Tadiwanashe Marumani gets inside the line and nudges it to mid-wicket. The fielder charges as he tries to pick up but fails to do so. Two runs. That's FIFTY for Tadiwanashe Marumani. Excellent knock from the opener so far.

Jack Brassell to Brian Bennett, On a length and on top of off. Bennett steers it to third man for a single.

Jack Brassell to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Bennett moves into the 40s in a streaky way! Drops it short and around off, gets big on the batter. Bennett pulls, gets a top edge to third man and it rolls to the fence.

Jack Brassell to Brian Bennett, Slants in a length ball on middle and leg. Bennett tucks with soft hands to mid-wicket for a brace.

Jack Brassell to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Boundaries continue to flow! Short of a good length, outside off. Bennett punches it through covers, wide of sweeper cover for a boundary.

Bernard Scholtz to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Flat and short, on the off stump, Tadiwanashe Marumani punches it back to the bowler.

Bernard Scholtz to Brian Bennett, Tossed up, on off, knocked to long off for a single.

Bernard Scholtz to Brian Bennett, Sliding on with the arm, on middle and leg, Brian Bennett hangs back and whips it in the gap towards deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Bernard Scholtz to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Short and on middle, flicked in front of square on the leg side for a single by Marumani.

Bernard Scholtz to Brian Bennett, Slower and fuller, on off, Brian Bennett eases it wide of cover for a single.

Bernard Scholtz to Brian Bennett, SIX! All the way! Bernard Scholtz errs in length as this is far too short, on middle and leg. Bennett goes deep in the crease and pulls it aerially to the right of deep square leg for a six.

Alexander Volschenk to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Bowls it short, over middle, Tadiwanashe Marumani rises with the bounce and drops it onto the pitch. Wants to sneak in a quick single but Alexander is quick to get to the ball.

Alexander Volschenk to Tadiwanashe Marumani, FOUR! Up and over! Fuller and tighter from Alexander Volschenk, around off. Marumani collapses his back knee to get under the ball and lofts it over the mid off fielder for four more.

Alexander Volschenk to Tadiwanashe Marumani, FOUR! Punished! Short and wide on off, there to be put away. Tadiwanashe Marumani obliges as he frees his arms and cracks the cut to the left of deep point for a boundary.

Alexander Volschenk to Brian Bennett, Bangs it into the deck, outside off, Bennett guides it to deep backward point and gets to the other end.

Alexander Volschenk to Tadiwanashe Marumani, On the off stump, on a good length, Tadiwanashe Marumani drops it in front of cover for one.

Alexander Volschenk to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Beats the bat straight away! Angled across, on a hard length, Marumani flays at it but a bit of extra bounce results in the ball going over the blade.

Bernard Scholtz to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Launched down the ground! A boundary on the last ball spoils the over for Bernard Scholtz. Dropped short, outside off, Brian Bennett presses on the back foot, frees his arms and thumps it back over the bowler's head with a horizontal bat for a boundary.

Bernard Scholtz to Tadiwanashe Marumani, On off, a bit full, Tadiwanashe Marumani clips it through mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

Bernard Scholtz to Brian Bennett, Darted into the right-hander, on the shorter side, on middle, Brian turns it through mid-wicket for one.

Bernard Scholtz to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Quicker through the air, outside off, Tadiwanashe Marumani knocks it off the back foot to long off for one more.

Bernard Scholtz to Brian Bennett, Slower and the length stays short, on off, Bennett punches it through covers for one.

Bernard Scholtz to Brian Bennett, A bit of turn, short and outside off, Brian Bennett waits back and slaps it to the left of deep point for a brace.

Change. Bernard Scholtz is into the attack.

Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Tadiwanashe Marumani, SIX! Tonked! A bit too full from Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, right in the slot. Tadiwanashe Marumani nails the slog sweep over deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Brian Bennett, Full and on off, Brian drives it past cover for a single.

Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Brian Bennett, Floated up, not that full for the sweep. Brian Bennett gets down on a knee for the sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Keeps it short, on middle, Marumani works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Brian Bennett, Drops it short, around off, slashed away to deep point for a single.

Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton to Brian Bennett, Sliding on with the arm, on a nagging length, Brian Bennett is beaten on the flick and wears it on the pads. Going down leg.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Tadiwanashe Marumani, FOUR! Agricultural but effective! Fuller in length, on off, Tadiwanashe Marumani swings a bit too hard and loses his shape. Smears it uppishly but well wide of mid-wicket to his left for a boundary.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Angled in on the off pole, on a good length, Marumani nudges it to the left of deep square leg and comes charging back for the second run.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Tadiwanashe Marumani, On top of off, on a back of a length, Tadiwanashe Marumani taps it down the deck with a straight bat.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Tadiwanashe Marumani, On a short of a length, outside off, Marumani flat bats it in front of mid on. There is a fumble from JJ Smit but he recovers quickly and prevents the batters from running on the misfield.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Fractionally short but not that wide for the cut. In the channel on off, Tadiwanashe Marumani slashes but fails to connect.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Brian Bennett, On a hard length, at the hips, Bennett wrists it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Jack Brassell to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Keeps it tight on middle and leg, Tadiwanashe Marumani tucks it on the leg side.

Jack Brassell to Tadiwanashe Marumani, TWO MORE! Darting on the pads, Tadiwanashe Marumani whips it to deep square leg for a brace.

Jack Brassell to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Shorter and around off, angling in, pulled to square leg.

Jack Brassell to Tadiwanashe Marumani, FOUR! Overpitched and outside off, Tadiwanashe Marumani leans into his drive and hits it past the diving mid off fielder for a boundary.

Jack Brassell to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wide! Well down the leg side. Tadiwanashe Marumani leaves.

Jack Brassell to Tadiwanashe Marumani, SIX! Hit with authority! Jack Brassell bowls with an angle on off. Tadiwanashe Marumani anticipates the length and heaves it across, all the way over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Jack Brassell to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Touch fuller and outside off, skids a bit. Tadiwanashe Marumani looks to work it across but inside edges it back onto the pads.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Tadiwanashe Marumani, A length ball, outside off. Tadiwanashe Marumani plays it to point for a sharp single.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Beauty! Ruben Trumpelmann continues to trouble the batters. Bowls the Test match line! Around the fifth stump and into the hard length. Tadiwanashe Marumani looks to defend but misses.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Brian Bennett, On a length and around off, Bennett works it to mid-wicket for a single.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Brian Bennett, This is good bowling from Ruben! Cramps Bennett as he bowls it short and close to off. Bennett still pulls, top edges it over mid-wicket for a couple.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Generates the extra bounce and bowls it outside off. Tadiwanashe Marumani dabs it to third man for a single.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Ruben Trumpelmann begins with one into the surface, this is around off. Tadiwanashe Marumani keeps it out on the off side.

Ruben Trumpelmann comes into the attack as the first change.

JJ Smit to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Leg bye! Tight run! JJ Smit shapes in a fuller delivery on the pads. Tadiwanashe Marumani fails to clip it and it rolls on the deck on the off side. The batters call for a run. JJ Smit runs forward and flicks off his boots but fails to hit the stumps at the other end.

JJ Smit to Brian Bennett, Leg bye! Straighter line onto the pads. Bennett fails to flick and it rolls off the pads to point for a leg bye.

JJ Smit to Brian Bennett, Shorter delivery, at the batter. Bennett is cramped as he defends it back.

JJ Smit to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Corrects the line and bowls it around the off pole, on a length. Tadiwanashe Marumani chops it to point for a single.

JJ Smit to Tadiwanashe Marumani, FOUR! Boundaries in each over so far! JJ Smit errs in line and bowls wide outside off. Tadiwanashe Marumani crunches it through covers and it races away like a bullet into the fence.

JJ Smit to Tadiwanashe Marumani, JJ Smit attacks the stumps and bowls it around off. Tadiwanashe Marumani turns it to mid-wicket.

Jack Brassell to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Just like the previous over, a boundary to end the over. Shorter and outside off, Bennett stands tall and slaps it through cover-point for a boundary.

Jack Brassell to Brian Bennett, Short of a length and around off. Bennett hops and punches it straight to cover.

Jack Brassell to Brian Bennett, Good length delivery, around off and nips in. Bennett keeps it out on the off side.

Jack Brassell to Tadiwanashe Marumani, QUICK SINGLE! Drifts in a length ball on middle. Tadiwanashe Marumani tucks it to mid-wicket and calls for a quick single. The fielder runs in and dives, underarms at the batter's end but misses.

Jack Brassell to Brian Bennett, Gives width outside off, Bennett cuts it uppishly and to third man for a single.

Jack Brassell to Brian Bennett, Good start by Jack Brassell! Bowls it slightly short and outside off, bit of shape on it. Bennett slashes his blade but misses.

Who will bowl from the other end? It will be the right-arm quick, Jack Brassell.

JJ Smit to Tadiwanashe Marumani, FOUR! OFF THE EDGE! JJ Smit pitches it up, looking for some swing and bowls it outside off. Tadiwanashe Marumani looks to slash it hard but gets a thick edge over the keeper and to third man.

JJ Smit to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Another dot! Tight from Smit! Touch fuller and around the fourth stump line. Tadiwanashe Marumani pushes it to cover.

JJ Smit to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Keeps bowling in the same channel, this is close to the length area. Tadiwanashe Marumani drops it to point and looks for a quick single but is sent back.

JJ Smit to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Drags back the length and bowls on the shorter side, around off. Tadiwanashe Marumani hops and taps it to point.

JJ Smit to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Nice, good length delivery, angling on middle. Tadiwanashe Marumani defends it to cover.

JJ Smit to Brian Bennett, Zimbabwe and Brian Bennett are underway! JJ Smit starts with a fuller delivery on middle, Brian Bennett flicks it through square leg for a single.

Done with the national anthems and we are all set to get going. Gerhard Erasmus and Co. disperse from the huddle and take their respective positions on the field. Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani are the two openers for Zimbabwe. JJ Smit will start the attack for Namibia. Smit to Bennett. Away we go...

We are moments away from the first ball, but before that, the two teams will line up for the national anthems. It will be Namibia's national anthem first, followed by that of Zimbabwe.

Namibia (Playing XI) - Jan Frylinck, Malan Kruger, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (C), JJ Smit, Dylan Leicher, Zane Green (WK), Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz, Jack Brassell, Alexander Volschenk.

Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Brendan Taylor, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani.

TOSS - Namibia have won the toss and will BOWL first.

The hosts, Zimbabwe, are the favourites as we head into this series. They have been playing against quite a few big teams, which have helped them grow from strength-to-strength. Zimbabwe recently played against Sri Lanka and despite losing the series 1-2, they put in a tough fight against the Asian side in the home series. Zimbabwe will hope to bounce back against Namibia, who are four places below them in the ICC T20I rankings. Namibia, in comparison to Zimbabwe, have played fewer matches of cricket against big sides but arrive into this series with momentum, having just completed a 3-0 series sweep over Canada. Both teams have a balanced squad but Zimbabwe have an edge due to the favourable home ground conditions. Who do you think will win? Toss and team sheets next.

Hello everyone, to the first of the three-match T20I series between Zimbabwe and Namibia. Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo is all set to host all three T20Is between two quality sides who are looking to build up their squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier 2025. Who are you backing?

...MATCH DAY...

The countdown to the World T20 Qualifiers begins right here as Zimbabwe and Namibia lock horns in the first of a three-match T20I series, promising a fierce battle between two evenly matched sides and serving as a good warm up before the crunch games. Zimbabwe may have lost their last T20I series 2-1 to Sri Lanka, but they pushed the Asian side to the brink and showed they can go toe-to-toe with stronger teams. Sikandar Raza remains their talisman with both bat and ball, supported by the consistency of Brian Bennett and Sean Williams, while their pace department is packed with quality led by the pair of Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani. However, death bowling woes and fielding lapses are areas they must tighten up to avoid slipping in crucial moments. Namibia arrive with confidence after a convincing 3-0 win over Canada in their last T20I series and will lean on skipper Gerhard Erasmus and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton to anchor the batting. Their bowling boasts variety and discipline with the likes of Ruben Trumpelmann and Ben Shikongo, but middle-order fragility and inexperience in high-pressure situations remain concerns. With both sides using this series as a key tune-up ahead of the qualifiers, expect a fiery opener where every run and wicket will count, and momentum could swing sharply in either direction.