Namibia’s national team cruised to a convincing win over Hong Kong during their first encounter at this year’s International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Intercontinental Cup in Windhoek on Wednesday.
Namibia went into the final day in a commanding position, needing to prevent Hong Kong from scoring 303 runs, but Hong Kong got off to a very good start, and were 48/0, before the young and talented Christopher Coombe was able to make the break through. Shortly after Coombe took another wicket, Bernhard Scholtz stepped into action with two more quick wickets as Hong Kong’s middle order collapsed. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, as Scholtz grabbed another one, Burger snatched up two and JJ Smit one of his own.
With eight wickets down by tea time and only 139 runs on the board. It appeared that Namibia had the match done and dusted. However, there was to be a last fight from the Hong Kong, as Haseeb Amjab and Eshan Nawaz made life difficult for the Namibians.
The Namibians were throwing everything at Hong Kong, until Namibia’s captain Nikolaas Scholtz took things into his own hands. After he scored a fantastic 85 not out in the first innings, as well as a quick fire 29 not out in the second innings, Scholtz proved that he is the kind of captain that can lead from the front, as he took two wickets from his first two balls, leading Namibia to victory, and giving the team their first intercontinental victory of the season.
On Friday the two teams will be tackling each other in the first 50 over match of the World Cricket league