Namibia call up 20-yr-old all-rounder with 152.94 strike rate for Pakistan clash

Namibia have made one change to their squad ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Pakistan on February 18 at Sinhalese Sports Club. Namibia have replaced injured pacer Ben Shikongo with 20-year-old all-rounder Alex Busing-Volschenk.

The ICC Technical committee approved the replacement after Shikongo sustained a thigh injury during the clash against India on February 12 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. 

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Alex Busing-Volschenk’s T20I numbers

Young Alex was a travelling reserve with the Namibia squad. The youngster made his T20I debut against USA in October 2024. His previous T20I appearance was against Kenya in September 2026.

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So far, he has played five T20Is and claimed four wickets at an average of 13.50. His economy rate is 7.71 runs per over. With the bat, he has scored 26 runs from four innings at an average of 13 and strike rate of 152.94.

Namibia’s updated T20 World Cup squad - 

Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Malan Kruger, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz, Max Heingo, Dylan Leicher, Jack Brassell, Jan Balt, Willem Myburgh, Alex Busing-Volschenk. 

How Namibia can spoil Pakistan’s campaign?

Namibia have faced a defeat against Netherlands, India and the USA. While there is no way they can make it to the Super 8 stage, they can catch an under-confident Pakistan off-guard.

If Namibia beat Salman Agha’s Pakistan, they will knock them out of the tournament and USA will progress to the Super 8 stage on the basis of better net run rate (NRR). Pakistan’s NRR took a major hit after the 61-run loss to India at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.