In what will be the last match of Group A of the preliminary qualifying round of the T20 World Cup, Namibia will take on the bottom-placed United Arab Emirates in the second game on Thursday in Geelong.
With 2 losses in 2 matches, UAE are effectively out of the competition – and no man in his sane mind would bet on them to make it through given their dismal batting shows so far resulting in a poor net run rate.
They could, however, look to spoil Namibia’s party, who have won one match and lost one. Sri Lanka (2 points in 2 matches) will take on the Netherlands (4 points in 2 matches) in the first match of the day, giving Namibia the exact equation of what they need in order to qualify or avoid elimination.
If Sri Lanka win, then Namibia has to win to qualify for Super 12; and if Sri Lanka lose, then Namibia just have to make sure that they don’t lose by a big margin to keep their nrr above them. A victory for Namibia will certainly seal their spot in the Super 12, given their superior net run rate compared to both Sri Lanka and the Netherlands.
NAM vs UAE Pitch report, Date and time
Venue: Simonds Stadium, Geelong
NAM vs UAE Pitch Report
The pitch in the four matches here was on the slow side, with both pacers and spinners thriving on the grip, turn, and dryness offered on the surface. Expect another low-scoring encounter in Geelong.
Date and Time: October 20, 1.30 PM IST
Telecast: Star Sports Network
NAM vs UAE Predicted XIs
If Ruben Trumpelmann is fit, he would get in the line-up likely for Shikongo, otherwise, Namibia are expected to stick to the XI that ran Netherlands close.
Namibia predicted XI:
Michael van Lingen, Divan la Cock, Stephan Baard, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), Jan Frylinck, David Wiese, JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo
UAE suffered a 79-run defeat to Sri Lanka. Zawar Farid, who missed the last game due to injury, might come back if he’s fit.
UAE predicted XI:
Chirag Suri, Muhammad Waseem, Aryan Lakra/Zawar Farid, Chundangapoyil Rizwan (c), Basil Hameed, Vriitya Aravind (wk), Kashif Daud, Aayan Afzal Khan, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Zahoor Khan
Today’s match prediction: Namibia to win the match
Namibia, who had defeated Sri Lanka in the first match of the tournament, are predicted to sweep UAE aside comfortably and enter the Super 12.
Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, knowledge, and instinct of the writer. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.
