Photo: Collected
The United States have secured a four-wicket win after a neck-and-neck fight against Namibia in Dallas. And with that, the team’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 title has been confirmed. On Wednesday (7 October) at Grand Prairie Stadium, the United States chased down the target of 299 runs set by Namibia and won by 4 wickets with 7 balls in hand.
With this win, two more points were added for the United States in the League 2 points table. Many of the eight teams in the competition still have some matches left, but no one can overtake the United States any more on the points gap. That is, their title win has been confirmed.
The United States had earlier secured a place in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier. By getting through this qualifier, they will have the opportunity to qualify to play in next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Earlier, experienced opener Michael van Lingen laid the foundation of Namibia’s respectable total. The left-handed batter built fine stands with Lauren Steenkamp (30) and captain Gerhard Erasmus (76), delivering a century partnership. As a result, quite a tough run-chase challenge stood before the United States to become champions.
But Monank’s unwavering mentality and the strong contributions of Smit Patel (50) and Shehan Jayasuriya (74) kept the United States on the path to victory. In the end, it was the hosts who took the win and won the League 2 title for the first time in their history.
