NZ vs NAM T20 World Cup 2021 Highlights: New Zealand inch close to semis, beat Namibia by 52 runs

New Zealand vs Namibia T20 World Cup 2021 Highlights: With this win New Zealand have now jumped to the second spot on the Group 2 points table.

NZ vs NAM T20 World Cup 2021 Highlights: New Zealand take on Namibia (AP)

New Zealand vs Namibia (NZ vs NAM) T20 World Cup 2021 Highlights: Kane Williamson-led New Zealand consolidated their spot in the semi-final race after defeating minnows Namibia by 52 runs in the Super 12 clash at the ongoing T20 World Cup. After being asked to bat first on a Sharjah track, which provides assistance to spinners, New Zealand posted a challenging 163-4 in 20 overs. The Black Caps got off to a slow start and managed just 62-2 in the first 10 overs. James Neesham and Glenn Phillips provided New Zealand with the much-needed late push as the pair combined to add 76 runs in 36 balls to help their side finish their innings on a strong note. Neesham finished the innings unbeaten on 35 from 23 balls, while his partner Phillip scores 39* off 21 deliveries. Namibia in response got off to a decent start with the openers adding 47 runs for the first wicket. However, the team kept losing wickets at regular intervals after that and could only muster 111/7 in 20 overs. Catch the Highlights of New Zealand vs Namibia, T20 World Cup 2021:  

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• 5 Nov 2021, 07:01:14 PM IST

  James Neesham is named Player of the Match

  James Neesham is named Player of the match for his all-round display. The 31-year-old was on the top of his game in both the departments. “It was a two-paced wicket, there were talks about the repercussions if we had lost today, but we were not thinking about the wicket, we needed to do well and the key for us was to set a par total, te way we went out there and played on a challenging surface, I'm pleased with it. We were just trying to get bat on ball as much as possible, the boundaries were tough, we were also targeting the shorter side, we thought anything more than 150 would be pretty good. I'm fresh and I can bowl four if required, but we do have five specialists and I make up the sixth, I'm happy and ready to bowl when needed.” 

• 5 Nov 2021, 06:50:57 PM IST

  Namibia lose by 52 runs 

  Five runs come in the final over bowled by Adam Milne as Namibia manage 111/7 in response to New Zealand's 163-4. They lose the contest by 52 runs, while New Zealand climb to the second spot in the Group 2 points table.  

• 5 Nov 2021, 06:46:09 PM IST

  Boult packs two in his final over

  Trent Boult picks two wickets in his final over as Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Craig Williams depart without adding a single run on the scoreboard. NAM: 106/7 (19 overs)

• 5 Nov 2021, 06:39:06 PM IST

  100 up for Namibia 

  Tim Southee picks his second wicket of the evening as Namibia go five down with 102 on the board. Meanwhile, the pacer completes his final over, conceding just six runs along with a wicket. NAM: 102/5 (18 overs)

• 5 Nov 2021, 06:33:54 PM IST

  Superb over by Trent Boult 

  Superb over by Trent Boult as four runs come off it. Namibia reach 96/4 after 17 overs. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 06:30:53 PM IST

  16 overs are done 

  16 overs are done as Namibia reach 92/4. The team need 72 more in the final four overs. JJ Smit and Zane Green are present in the middle. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 06:26:35 PM IST

  One run and a wicket

  Tim Southee delivers for the captain as he finishes his third over by providing New Zealand with a vital breakthrough and concedes just a single. Meanwhile, Namibia reach 86/4 after 15 overs. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 06:23:04 PM IST

  Tim Southee strikes

  Tim Southee strikes as Namibia lose their fourth wicket. The bowler traps David Wiese LBW on 16(17). NAM: 86/4 (14.3 overs) | need 78 runs in 33 balls

• 5 Nov 2021, 06:20:19 PM IST

  Ish Sodhi concedes two sixes

  David Wiese and Zane Green combine to smash Ish Sodhi for two towering sixes as 15 runs come off the 14th over. NAM: 85/3 | need 79 runs in 36 balls

• 5 Nov 2021, 06:16:43 PM IST

  Santner completes his quota 

  Mitchell Santner gives away two runs as he concedes 20 runs and picks a wicket in his four-over quota. NAM: 70/3 (13 overs)

• 5 Nov 2021, 06:12:49 PM IST

  Namibia reach 68/3 after 12 overs

  Sodhi recovers well from the blow and concedes five runs, which was his second over. Meanwhile, Namibia reach 68/3 after 12 overs. They now need 96 more in 48 deliveries. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 06:11:00 PM IST

  Ish Sodhi needs some attention

  A nasty blow to Ish Sodhi as David Wiese charges down the track and hits the spinner, who has very little time to react. The ball hits him hard but the player is back on his feet as the physio join the players in the middle. NAM: 63/3 (11.1 overs)

• 5 Nov 2021, 06:07:38 PM IST

  It's getting difficult for Namibia 

  It's getting difficult for Namibia and the amount of turn Santner is producing at the moment, they surely find them in a tough position. Seven runs come off the previous over as Namibia reach 63/3 in 11 overs. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 06:05:02 PM IST

  10 overs are done 

  The first half of the 164-run chase is done as Namibia reach 56 for the loss of three wickets in 10 overs. They need another 108 to win in the final 60 balls. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 06:02:03 PM IST

  Another one bites the dust

  Another one bites the dust as Ish Sodhi provides New Zeland with the third breakthrough. A faint edge and wicket-keeper Devon Conway plucks a sharp catch to bring an end to Gerhard Erasmus' stay in the middle. He departs after scoring 3(4). Namibia - 55/3 (9.2 overs)

• 5 Nov 2021, 05:57:31 PM IST

  New Zealand fightback 

  Another brilliant over from New Zealand's perspective as just three runs come off it. NAM: 54-2 (9 overs) 

• 5 Nov 2021, 05:56:00 PM IST

  Santner joins the party

  Namibia lose their second wicket and this time it's Mitchell Santner who joins the party. The spinner cleans up Stephan Baard on 21(22). NAM: 51-2 (8 overs)

• 5 Nov 2021, 05:53:21 PM IST

  Six runs and a wicket

  Six runs and a wicket come off the previous over bowled by James Neesham as Namibia edge past the 50-run mark. NAM: 51/1 (8 overs)

• 5 Nov 2021, 05:50:23 PM IST

  Bang on by Neesham 

  After shining with the bat, Neesham now delivers with the ball. He cleans up Michael van Lingen on 25(25) to provide NewZealand with the much-needed breakthrough. Namibia - 47/1 (7.2 overs)

• 5 Nov 2021, 05:47:29 PM IST

  Inside edge runs away for a four 

  Mitchell Santner tries to add some pace as Michael van Lingen comes down the track. The batter gets an inside edge as the ball goes wide off the wicket-keeper for a four. Nine runs come off the over as Namibia reach 45/0 after 7 overs. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 05:44:07 PM IST

  End of powerplay 

  A six followed by a four in Adam Milne's previous over as Namibia openers add 36/0 after the first six overs. They need another 128 runs in 84 balls to win. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 05:38:27 PM IST

  Boundary 

  Stephan Baard smashes the first boundary of the Namibian innings as the openers add 24 runs after the end of five overs. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 05:34:48 PM IST

  Excellent bowling by Southee 

  Tim Southee makes sure he doesn't provide any room to the Namibian openers and maintains a tight length throughout the over as just two runs come off it. NAM: 17/0 (4 overs)

• 5 Nov 2021, 05:30:08 PM IST

  Clinical stuff by Adam Milne

  Adam Milne comes to deliver the third over as Baard and Lingen maintain their cautious approach. Four runs come off it, as Namibia reach 15/0 after 3 overs. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 05:25:15 PM IST

  Boult starts strong

  An economical over by Trent Boult as five runs come off it. NAM: 11/0 (2 overs)

• 5 Nov 2021, 05:21:28 PM IST

  Edge!

  Southee almost picks his first wicket of the match as the ball takes the outside edge of Baard's bat and is a little wide of the wicket-keeper. The ball races to the boundary ropes and Namibia won't mind it. NAM: 6/0 (1 over)

• 5 Nov 2021, 05:19:05 PM IST

  Chase begins 

  Tim Southee leads the Kiwi attack with the ball as Namibia openers Michael van Lingen and Stephan Baard walk in the middle. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 05:10:55 PM IST

  Neesham,  Phillips lift New Zealand

  Neesham finishes the innings unbeaten on 35 from 23 balls, while his partner Phillip scores 39* off 21 deliveries. Together the duo combined to add 76 runs in 36 balls. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 05:08:06 PM IST

   New Zealand post 163 for 4

  JJ Smit starts the final over with a dot, but is whacked over the mid-wicket fence in the second delivery. Neesham then picks a double, which is followed by two wides. Smit then delivers a perfect yorker as Neesham manages to steal a single. Phillips pushes the fourth ball of the over on the on-side and runs a double. He then attempts to finish the innings with a switch hit but fails to make any connection and runs a bye, which the umpire signals a wide. The bowler delivers another wide and Neesham wraps up the innings with a double in the final ball. 18 runs come off it despite just one boundary as New Zealand post a challenging 163 for 4 after 20 overs.  

• 5 Nov 2021, 04:58:14 PM IST

  50-run stand 

  James Neesham and Glenn Phillips quickly stitch the 50-run stand between the two and provide New Zealand with a perfect finish. The pair have so far added 58 runs from 30 balls. NZ:145/4 (19 overs) 

• 5 Nov 2021, 04:53:18 PM IST

  Massive sixes by Neesham and Phillips 

  James Neesham and Glenn Phillips produce the late blitz New Zealand were hoping for as the two combine to hit David Wiese for 21 runs in his final over. New Zealand will now feel a bit relaxed as they reach 131 for four with two overs still to go. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 04:48:34 PM IST

  Kiwis breach 100-run mark

  Excellent over from New Zealand's perspective as 14 runs come off Gerhard Erasmus' final over. He completes his four overs quota with the valuable wicket of Williamson and gives away 22 runs in total. Meanwhile, New Zealand reach 110/4 after 17 overs.  

• 5 Nov 2021, 04:43:49 PM IST

  Excellent piece of fielding by Michael van Lingen

  Excellent piece of fielding by Michael van Lingen, the player definitely saved two runs for his team. Puts an excellent dive, stopping the ball from touching the boundary ropes as just five runs come off the 16th over. NZ: 96/4

• 5 Nov 2021, 04:38:16 PM IST

  Five overs remain

  Namibia will surely be proud with what they've achieved so far. With five overs still to go, New Zealand have reached 91 for the loss of four wickets. Glenn Phillips is batting with James Neesham.  

• 5 Nov 2021, 04:34:50 PM IST

  Panic 

  With overs running out, there is some panic among the New Zealand batters in the middle as Glenn Phillips and Devan Conway try to steal a dangerous double. However, good fielding in the deep does the trick as Conway falls short of completing his ground. He returns to the pavilion after scoring 17(18). NZ: 87/4 (14 overs)

• 5 Nov 2021, 04:30:25 PM IST

  Williamson departs

  A four-run over by Karl Birkenstock does the trick as Kane Williamson departs in the next. The New Zealand skipper is dismissed by Gerhard Erasmus, who cleans him up on 28(25). Meanwhile, New Zealand are currently batting on 82 for 3 after 13 overs. Devan Conway and Glenn Phillips are present in the middle. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 04:21:16 PM IST

  Williamson changes gear 

  A welcome boundary for New Zealand as Kane Williamson gets down on his knees and smashes the ball for a maximum and follows it up with another aggressive drive. This time he comes down the track and smashes the ball straight past the bowler for a boundary. 15 runs come from the over as New Zealand reach 77/2 after 11 overs.  

• 5 Nov 2021, 04:14:47 PM IST

  10 overs are done 

  We've reached the halfway stage of the New Zealand innings as they manage to reach 62/2 after 10 overs. The boundaries have dried up but with Kane Williamson in the middle, the opponent will surely not take things lightly. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 04:10:21 PM IST

  Namibia keep things tight

  Namibia have not kept things easy for their opponent as they are making New Zealand work hard in the middle. Excellent over by Scholtz as just four runs come off it. NZ: 59/2 (9 overs)

• 5 Nov 2021, 04:07:20 PM IST

  Decent over for New Zealand

  A decent over from New Zealand's perspective as Conway hits a four in the fifth ball to accumulate nine runs from it. NZ: 55/2 (8 overs)

• 5 Nov 2021, 04:03:00 PM IST

  Equation so far 

  Seven overs are done and New Zealand are batting on 46 for the loss of two wickets. Kane Williamson and Devan Conway are present in the middle. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 04:00:32 PM IST

  New Zealand lose their second wicket

  New Zealand lose their second wicket right after the powerplay. Daryl Mitchell returns to the pavilion on 19(15) after he tries to go for the aerial route but finds Michael van Lingen at the extra cover region. NZ: 43/2 (6.2 overs)

• 5 Nov 2021, 03:57:07 PM IST

  End of powerplay

  Ruben Trumpelmann concedes seven runs in his second over as New Zealand end powerplay with 43 on the board. They have so far lost one wicket in the form of Martin Guptill. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 03:54:38 PM IST

  Williamson joins the action

  Kane Williamson joins the middle and stamps his authority with a cracking four in the final delivery of the fifth over. With this New Zealand reach 36/1. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 03:51:51 PM IST

  Guptill departs

  Martin Guptill fails to fire big and is packed by David Wiese on 18(18). NewZealand lose their first wicket. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 03:51:20 PM IST

  Mitchell joins the party

  Mitchell joins the party as he stands outside the crease and slams a good length delivery just behind the mid-on fielder. Came off the middle of the willow and the ball races to the fence as nine runs come off the fourth over. NZ: 30/0 (4 overs)

• 5 Nov 2021, 03:44:47 PM IST

  Openers keep scoreboard ticking 

  A quiet over as no boundary come off it, but the pair manages to keep the scoreboard ticking by constantly rotating the strike. Eight runs come off the previous over as New Zealand reach 21/0 after 3 overs. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 03:39:20 PM IST

  Guptill maintains similar approach

  Ruben Trumpelmann to bowl the second over and Guptill maintains a similar approach against the tall pacer. Walks down the track and whacks the ball for a four towards the mid-off region. However, only four runs come from the over as New Zealand reach 13/0 after 2 overs. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 03:35:13 PM IST

  Guptill starts strong

  Martin Guptill starts off on a strong note, smashes Scholtz for a six over the long-on fence. New Zealand gather 9 runs from the first over. 

• 5 Nov 2021, 03:30:27 PM IST

  Namibia start with spin 

  Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell arrive in the middle to kick-off the proceedings. Bernard Scholtz to lead Namibia's attack.