A low-scoring thriller unfolded in the Group B clash between Namibia and Oman, where the African side emerged victorious by setting a record for the most runs in a Super Over in T20 World Cup history. This marked the first Super Over of the tournament. David Wiese excelled both with the bat and ball, helping Namibia score 21 runs in the Super Over and then successfully defend it to launch their ICC T20 World Cup campaign with a dramatic win.
Given the opportunity to bat in the Super Over, Wiese delivered an outstanding performance, propelling Namibia to 21 runs. He then capped off his stellar day by defending that total, securing a fairytale victory for his team.
Namibia won the toss and chose to bowl, a decision that paid off immediately. Ruben Trumpelmann struck twice in the first over, putting Oman on the back foot. The left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz then trapped Maqsood leg before in the seventh over, dismantling Oman’s recovery efforts. Despite Khalid Kail and Ayaan Khan’s attempt to stabilise the innings, Oman struggled, managing only two boundaries in the middle overs. The innings fell apart in the death overs, losing five wickets for just 31 runs, with Trumpelmann finishing with four wickets and Wiese taking three.
Chasing a modest target of 110, Namibia’s innings wobbled early as opener Michael van Lingen departed for a duck. Nikolaas Davin and Jan Frylinck steadied the ship with a 42-run partnership for the second wicket. However, Oman’s bowlers, led by Mehran Khan, Aqib Ilyas, Ayaan Khan, and Bilal Khan, fought back, tightening the game. Mehran’s exceptional final over saw him dismiss Frylinck and Zane Green, leaving Namibia needing two runs off the last ball. Wiese managed to get a single off the final ball to level the scores.
In the Super Over, Wiese and Erasmus propelled Namibia to 21 runs. Oman, tasked with chasing 22, faltered as Wiese’s experience shone through, conceding only 10 runs and taking a crucial wicket. This thrilling win kickstarted Namibia’s T20 World Cup campaign on a high note.