Snyman pummels USA in seven-wicket Namibia win

USA struggled to 113 for 8, having wasted another good start from the top order, before they were knocked out by a Gerrie Snyman onslaught. His 62 off 35 balls propelled Namibia to a seven-wicket win with 7.1 overs to spare at Stormont.

That frenetic pace proved useful considering the rain theat. The start was delayed by an hour, and Namibia began their chase amid a drizzle. But Snyman and his opening partner Stephen Baard rocketed to 63 for 0 in the Powerplay, ensuring they were well ahead on Duckworth-Lewis in the event the match had to be called after five overs.

USA did themselves no favours with their no-ball issues rearing back up. Snyman caught off one when he was only 7. Things got progressively worse. Japen Patel dropped Snyman when the batsman was on 21; the ball tipped over for six. When the opportunity to redeem himself came, Japen misjudged another catch at deep point to give Baard a life on 15.

Snyman made the most of his chances, repeatedly smashing the bowlers over mid-on and brought up his fifty in 28 balls. Muhammad Ghous, the USA captain, became so desperate to curtail Snyman that at one point he put six fielders on the leg side before the on-field umpires warned him that it would result in a no-ball.

Snyman was eventually caught at long-on off Alex Amsterdam to conclude a 97-run opening stand in 10 overs. The only other wickets to fall came courtesy legspinner Timil Patel. An inside edge from Baard dribbled onto his stumps, while Raymond van Schoor was caught at deep midwicket. Sarel Burger ended the game four balls later with a flick to midwicket, giving Namibia's net run rate a significant boost in the event of a tiebreaker at the end of the group stage.

USA have lost three out of three games now. Today, six of their batsmen fell for single-figures. Only Akeem Dodson with 49 off 41 balls could hold Namibia off. He capitalised on their strategy of bowling short. Four of his eight boundaries came off pull shots and he dominated a 35-run stand with Timothy Surujbally, before Surujbally ran himself out for 3.

USA's innings started to unravel when left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz was introduced in the eighth over. He nabbed Nicholas Standford leg before as the batsman defended down the wrong line. Then Dodson gave it away looking for a glory shot over long-off and was caught by Craig Williams.

Dodson's wicket sparked a collapse - four wickets for 16 runs. Adil Bhatti was foxed by a slower ball from Burger and was pinned in front. Then Namibia's sharp fielding produced two run-outs. Scholtz's throw from deep midwicket beat Japen's dive at the non-striker's end as he was looking for a second. Ghous called for a suicidal run and third man on the circle found him short by five yards.

Amsterdam was the eighth wicket to fall, top edging a pull for 18. Timil and Jasdeep Singh batted out the remaining nine balls to finish unbeaten on 8 and 7 respectively.