Photo: Collected
ICC associate nation Namibia have made history by winning a bilateral series in the ODI format for the first time.
In the fifth and final ODI, the team beat ICC full member Ireland by 5 wickets. With that, the five-match series ended 3-2 in Namibia’s favour. They tasted victory in only their second ODI series.
Namibia, co-hosts of the 2027 World Cup, had lost their first bilateral ODI series 3-0 to South Africa last September.
Namibia lost the first ODI against Ireland by 55 runs. They levelled the series by winning the next match by 31 runs, which was Namibia’s first win against any ICC full member nation. The team went 2-1 up by winning the third match by 63 runs. However, Ireland levelled the series 2-2 with a 130-run win in the fourth match.
In the series decider in Windhoek, Ireland won the toss and batted first, but were bowled out for 129 in 33.1 overs under fire from Namibia’s bowlers. Jordan Neill top-scored for the side with 33 runs. Namibia’s JJ Smit took 4 wickets and Jack Brassell 3.
In reply, Namibia sealed the win in just 21.2 overs. Opener Lauren Steenkamp made 46 runs and captain Gerhard Erasmus 30 off 18 balls.
Smit was named player of the match for his 4 wickets for 20 runs, while Erasmus was player of the series with 264 runs and 4 wickets.
Namibia will co-host the ODI World Cup with South Africa and Zimbabwe next year. While South Africa and Zimbabwe will play in the World Cup directly as hosts, Namibia will not get that opportunity; as an ICC associate nation, they will have to play the World Cup qualifiers.
By the numbers
According to an Adda247 report of 12 August, 10 teams had been confirmed by then for the 14-team 2027 World Cup. Ten teams will play in the qualifiers from 22 February to 23 March 2027 for the remaining four places.
Sources
Original report: BSS
Background sources: Adda247 Current Affairs, 12 August 2026
