NAM vs ZIM Match 5 Live Commentary - Windhoek (03 September 2026)

SIX! Ryan Burl finishes things off in style! JJ Smit bangs this into the pitch, outside off. Burl holds the bat like a tennis player and smashes it over the deep extra cover fence for a biggie. ZIMBABWE WIN BY 5 WICKETS, with 11 balls to spare.

Tossed up, full and on off, Tadiwanashe Marumani eases it down to long off for a single.

Floated, full and on middle, Ryan Burl knocks it to the right of the bowler.

Flighted, full and on off, Ryan Burl pushes it to cover.

Flatter, full and on off, Tadiwanashe Marumani goes for the reverse sweep but misses as the ball goes off his pads towards short third. Max Heingo tries to stop it but boots it away towards fine leg, allowing the second run. 150 up for Zimbabwe!

Slows it up, full and on off, Tadiwanashe Marumani defends it on the front foot.

Drops it short, on leg, Tadiwanashe Marumani flicks it off the back foot through square leg for a brace. Zimbabwe are just one hit away from the win now.

A quick and sharp bouncer, on middle. Tadiwanashe Marumani looks to pull it away but gets late on the shot and the ball hits him bang on the grill of the helmet. He looks a bit shaken.

Short of a length and around leg, Tadiwanashe Marumani gets inside the line and hooks it to deep fine leg for a single.

Bangs this into the pitch, and down the leg side, Ryan Burl pulls it on the bounce to deep fine for a run.

WIDE! Dug into the surface and around leg, Tadiwanashe Marumani misses out on the pull. The keeper grabs it and appeals for it but nothing doing. Wided.

SIX! Gets hold of that one! Jack Brassell sticks to the shorter length and on middle and leg. Tadiwanashe Marumani is waiting for it, swivels and whacks it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

WIDE! Fuller but down the leg side, Tadiwanashe Marumani fails to glance it away. Wided.

Good length and on mleg, Tadiwanashe Marumani nudes it to fine leg for one.

Back of a length and on off, Ryan Burl pats it down to the off side.

Short and on middle, Ryan Burl nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

Short again, on off, Tadiwanashe Marumani punches it through covers for a run.

Dragged back, outside off, Ryan Burl slaps it to sweeper cover for another run.

Floated, full and on middle, Tadiwanashe Marumani goes down and reverse sweeps it to point.

Pushed through quicker, shortish and on off, skids through. Tadiwanashe Marumani moves back to cut but misses.

Another short delivery, on middle, Tadiwanashe Marumani nudges it around the corner for one more.

FOUR! Up and over! Short of a length and outside off, Sikandar Raza backs away to free his arms and swats it over mid off for a boundary.

Bangs this into the pitch, around off, Sikandar Raza looks to pull it away but gets rushed as the ball goes off the splice of the bat towards short third.

Back of a length and on middle, Sikandar Raza forces it towards mid on and sets off for the single. The throw comes in at his end but he makes his ground, but cannot get out of the way of the ball and takes a hit on his hand.

Dug into the surface, on middle, Ryan Burl plays a controlled pull shot towards deep square leg for a run.

OUT! STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! Ruben Trumpelmann strikes here. He sticks to the shorter length, outside off. Sikandar Raza uses his feet and tries to smack it away using his bottom hand. He connects well, but slices it straight to deep extra cover, where Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton makes no mistake. Zimbabwe are 132/4, still needing 25 runs in 31 balls.

OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Ruben Trumpelmann gets two in two, and he will be on a hat-trick in his next game. He bangs in another well-directed bouncer, on middle. Wessly Madhevere tries to pull it away but is in no position to play that shot and fails to control it. It flies wide of deep square leg, where Alexander Volschenk runs to his left and takes a superb running catch. Zimbabwe lose half their side now.

Fuller and on middle, Sikandar Raza knocks it towards mid on for a quick single.

OUT! IN THE AIR...GONE! Finally, the short-ball tactic works but maybe it's a bit too late for Namibia. Jack Brassell bangs this into the pitch, on middle, gets some steep bounce. Innocent Kaia tries to pull it away but fails to transfer his weight fully on the back foot. He gets hurried and mistimes the shot high in the air towards mid on, where Gerhard Erasmus settles under it and pouches it safely. Zimbabwe are 124/3, chasing 157 runs.

Hard length and on middle and leg, Ryan Burl looks to flick it away but misses and gets hit high on the pads.

On a length and on off, Ryan Burl pats it in front of mid off and scampers across for a quick run.

Fuller one and on off, Sikandar Raza drives it away to extra cover.

Hits the deck hard, around off, Sikandar Raza stabs it out to the off side for one more.

SIX! Straight as an arrow! JJ Smit serves this full and on middle, in the slot as well. Innocent Kaia presents the full face of the bat and tonks it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Back of a length and outside off, Innocent Kaia backs away and stabs it out to extra cover for a single.

Short of a length and outside off again, Sikandar Raza slaps it wide of long off. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton runs to his left and dives to make a fine stop. Two taken. That also brings up the 50-run stand between these two batters.

A slower one, full and around off, Sikandar Raza steps across to swipe it across the line but misses.

Pitched up and just outside off, Sikandar Raza dills it away wide of long off and rushes back for the second run. Good running!

In the blockhole, on off, Sikandar Raza bunts it out towards long off for one. 34 needed in 42 balls now!

Fuller and on middle, Sikandar Raza clips it with soft hands through square leg and hurries back for the second run 

A slower one, on a length and on middle and leg, Sikandar Raza looks to flick but misses as the ball brushes his pads and rolls to the keeper. A slight appeal for LBW, but turned down.

Pitched up and on middle, Sikandar Raza eases it down to long on and calls for two. However, he collides with the bowler at the other end and decides against the second one.

Pace off, dipping in on middle, Innocent Kaia gets his bat down and tucks it to the leg side for a run.

Full again and outside off, Sikandar Raza backs away and lofts it wide of sweeper cover for a brace.

Back of a length and around off, Sikandar Raza cuts it to the left of deep point for another couple of runs. Nelson on the bord now!

FOUR! Just over! Ruben Trumpelmann lands this back of a length and just outside off. Innocent Kaia throws the kitchen sink at it. Gets an outside edge that flies just over Jack Brassell's outstretched hand at short third man for a boundary.

FOUR MORE! Same place again! Short of a length and around off, jags back in a bit. Innocent Kaia sways away from it and cuts it away between gully and short third for another boundary. This is now Innocent Kaia's best score in T20Is.

Much fuller and on off, Innocent Kaia tries to drive but misses.

Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, Innocent Kaia steps across to reach out for it and stabs it through backward point for a single. 100 up for Zimbabwe!

A wide yorker, outside off, Sikandar Raza jams it out to the off side and the batters sneak in a run.

Dug into the surface, well outside off, Innocent Kaia cuts it away wide of deep point. The fielder runs to his right and dives to make a fine stop, saving a couple of runs. 54 needed in 54 balls now!

A bit short and on middle, Sikandar Raza clips it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Floated, full and on middle, Innocent Kaia knocks it down the pitch.

Dragged back, on middle, Innocent Kaia tucks it to the right of mid-wicket for a quick run.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! Not what Namibia need here! This is flatter, short and around off. Sikandar Raza opens the bat face late and steers it towards short third. The fielder dives over the ball and lets it through for a boundary.

Short once more, on off, Sikandar Raza guides it to short third for just one this time.

  Another short delivery, on leg, Innocent Kaia flicks it through square leg for one more.

On a length and on middle, Innocent Kaia pats it to mid on.

Back of a length and on middle, Innocent Kaia heaves it away to deep square leg for a single.

Short of a length and on off, Sikandar Raza dabs it with soft hands in front of point for  arun.

Dug into the surface, on middle, Innocent Kaia pulls it through square leg for another run.

Nicely bowled! Jack Brassell bends his back and hits the deck hard, on off, nips back in with steep bounce. Sikandar Raza rides the bounce well and guides it to third man for one.

SIX! FIFTY FOR KAIA! Off just 30 balls. He has looked positive right from the start and has hardly looked troubled. This is his 2nd T20I half-century and he gets to it with a bang as well. Jack Brassell tries the bumper, but this is not short enough. Innocent Kaia picks up the length early and hammers it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Tosed up, full and on off, Innocent Kaia lunges out and taps it to the off side.

Flatter, short and outside off, Innocent Kaia tries to cut but misses.

Short and way down the leg side, Innocent Kaia nudges it through backward square leg for a single.

Quicker, short and on middle and leg, bounces a bit more. Sikandar Raza steps across to flick but misses and gets hit on his thigh pad.

Short again, on leg, Sikandar Raza works it around the corner for one.

Dragged back, around leg, Innocent Kaia pulls it to deep square leg for one more.

FOUR! Great shot! Shorter in length and on middle, Innocent Kaia rocks back quickly and flat-bats it past the bowler for a boundary.

Short again, on middle, Innocent Kaia nudges it to square leg for a single.

Dragged back, on middle, Brian Bennett pats it to short mid-wicket.

Flatter, full and on the pads, Brian Bennett clips it away wide of short fine for a brace.

FOUR! That's a top shot! Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton drops it way too short, outside off. Brian Bennett extends his arms to reach out for it and muscles it over exta covers for four more runs.

OUT! CAUGHT! Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton has the last laugh here and breaks the 61-run stand. This is tossed up, full and on middle. Brian Bennett looks to go big down the ground but fails to get underneath the ball. He does not get the elevation as the ball flies towards long on. Jan Balt runs forward a long way and dives to take a superb catch. Zimbabwe are 70/2 now.

Max Heingo will close out the Powerplay! He bowls this on a good length and on off, Brian Bennett pushes it to extra cover.

Back of a length and around off, Brian Bennett guides it through point for a single. 50 up for Zimbabwe in 5.1 overs!

FOUR! Powered away! A bit too full, on middle. Innocent Kaia gets right underneath it and pumps it past the mid on fielder for a boundary.

Swing and a miss! Just short of a length and on middle, Innocent Kaia comes down the track and has a wild swing across the line but misses.

Good length and on middle, angling in, Innocent Kaia clips it towards square leg for a run.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Touch fuller and just outside off. Brian Bennett gets his hands through the shot and crashes it over point for a boundary. That also brings up the 50-run stand between these two batters.

Back of a length and on middle, angling in, Innocent Kaia tucks it in front of short mid-wicket. BB wants the run but is sent back.

In the air...SAFE! Jack Brassell sees the batter advance and bangs this into the pitch, on off. Innocent Kaia charges down the track and tries to pull it away but gets hurried. Gets a top edge that goes high in the air drops beyond the reach of the chasing mid on fielder. They cross.

Hard length and on off, Innocent Kaia stays back and tries to slog it away but gets an inside edge onto his boot as the ball rolls down the pitch.

FOUR! Good shot! Jack Brassell lands this short of a length and on middle. Innocent Kaia picks up the length early, stands tall and whacks it to the deep mid-wicket fence for four more runs.

Touch fuller and on off, shaping in, Innocent Kaia looks to work it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.

FOUR! Touch of class! Hits the deck hard and around off. Innocent Kaia lets the ball come to him, opens the bat face and uses the pace to steer it through backward point for another boundary.

Back of a length and on off, Brian Bennett pats it towards mid off for a single.

Short of a length and on middle, Innocent Kaia stays back and swipes it away to deep square leg for a run.

FOUR! Put away! JJ Smit bangs this into the pitch, on middle, sits up nicely for the batter. Brian Bennett gets on top of it and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

On a length and on middle, Brian Bennett tucks it towards mid-wicket for another run.

FOUR! Nicely done! JJ Smit sticks to the shorter length, on leg. Innocent Kaia rolls his wrists to keep it down and pulls it to the deep backward square leg fence for a boundary.

Dug into the surface, on middle, Innocent Kaia swats it to deep square leg for one.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle and leg, Innocent Kaia pulls it away towards deep square leg, where a slight fumble allows the second run.

WIDE! Short of a length but down the leg side, Innocent Kaia tries to hook it away but misses. Wided.

FOUR! Connects well this time! Back of a length and on middle and leg. Innocent Kaia stays inside the line of it and smacks it between deep fine leg and deep square leg for a one-bounce four.

On a length and on middle, Innocent Kaia flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Hits the deck hard, around off, Brian Bennett dabs it down towards backward point for a quick run.

Uppish but safe! A well-directed bumper from Ruben Trumpelmann, on off. Innocent Kaia gets rushed on the pull shot and loses his bottom hand as well. He miscues it in the air but it drops well in front of mid-wicket.

SIX! Streaky but Kaia will take it! Ruben Trumpelmann bowls another bouncer at a good pace, on middle. Innocent Kaia tries to take it on with a big heave but gets a top edge that flies over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie.

JJ Smit begins with a good-length delivery, around off, Brian Bennett pushes it through covers for a single.

OUT! TAKEN! JJ Smit draws first blood. He serves this fuller and a bit outside off, Ben Curran tries to loft it down the ground, but his bat turns a bit upon contact. He hits it from the bottom half of the bat and fails to get any elevation. It flies towards mid off, where Ruben Trumpelmann dives forward to take a fantastic catch. Zimbabwe are 9/1, chasing 157 runs.

On a length and on middle, shaping in, Innocent Kaia knocks it towards mid on.

Back of a length and on middle, Innocent Kaia swipes it off the inside half of the bat to deep square leg for a single.

Short of a length and outside off, Brian Bennett cuts it away to deep point for a run.

Hard length and around leg, Innocent Kaia nudges it to the left of short fine for one.

A bit of movement! Ruben Trumpelmann starts with a fuller delivery, on middle, shaping in. Brian Bennett tucks it away towards mid-wicket. Gerhard Erasmus gets a bad bounce and fumbles, allowing a single. Zimbabwe are up and running in the chase!

WIDE! Short of a length and well outside off, shaping further away, Ben Curran leaves it alone. Wided.

Back of a length and on off, Ben Curran guides it through backward point for a run.

Hits the deck hard, on middle, nips back in, Brian Bennett stays back and pats it down towards mid on.

Lands this on hard length and on middle and off. Brian Bennett tries to heave it across the line but this is not that short. He mises and takes a blow on his body.

Dug into the surface, around leg, Brian Bennett clips it away to short fine for one.

FOUR! Good way to finish the over! This is fuller in length and outside off. Ben Curran extends his arm to reach out for it and bunts it down to the long on fence for the first boundary of the chase.