Maiden Player of the Match Award for Brad Evans as Zimbabwe Prevail in Windhoek Thriller

BRAD EVANS delivered with bat and ball when Zimbabwe needed him most as the Chevrons survived a ferocious late assault from Namibia to snatch a five-run victory and breathe fresh life into their T20I Tri-Series campaign in Windhoek.

Evans, named Player of the Match for the first time in his international career, struck an unbeaten 37 from 24 balls in Zimbabwe’s 195 for six before taking three for 41, including two wickets in a nerve-shredding final over as Namibia finished on 190 for nine.

It was a victory that brought relief rather than complete satisfaction for captain Sikandar Raza, whose side appeared to have the match safely tucked away when Namibia slumped to 76 for six in 11.1 overs.

Instead, Zane Green and Alexander Busing-Volschenk launched a stunning counterattack that dragged the hosts back from the brink and forced Zimbabwe to fight until the final deliveries.

“Credit to Namibia for making it a good game. Credit to their batters. Nothing to take away from them, but I thought we were poor in the end,” Raza admitted afterwards.

“We had three quarters ticked out of four. We bowled okay till the 14th over but we need to get better.

“We have to try and win every game and be as good as we can be. I’m really grateful we won the game but I didn’t think we were that good.”

Earlier, Zimbabwe had been asked to bat after losing the toss and raced away through Brian Bennett and Ben Curran, whose 64-run opening partnership provided an explosive start.

Bennett struck six fours in his 32 from 21 balls before falling from the final delivery of the powerplay.

The innings then changed dramatically.

Dion Myers fell for two, Raza departed first ball, Curran’s entertaining 38 from 22 balls came to an end and Wessly Madhevere managed two as Zimbabwe stumbled to 79 for five after 9.4 overs.

Ryan Burl began the rescue mission and, after Tadiwanashe Marumani contributed a brisk 18 from 11 deliveries, found the ideal partner in Evans.

Burl finished unbeaten on 57 from 32 balls, decorated with seven fours and a six, while Evans hammered two fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 37.

For Evans, the innings carried particular satisfaction after the work he has invested in improving that side of his game.

“Something I’ve been working hard on, and has come leaps and bounds,” he said of his batting partnership with Burl.

Gerhard Erasmus was Namibia’s most successful bowler with three for 46, while Bernard Scholtz, JJ Smit and Max Heingo took a wicket apiece.

Namibia’s chase appeared to be disintegrating when Blessing Muzarabani and Evans struck early before further breakthroughs left the hosts six wickets down with only 76 on the board.

But Green and Busing-Volschenk refused to accept the apparent inevitability of defeat.

Green blasted 54 from 26 balls, striking seven fours and two sixes, while Busing-Volschenk hammered 56 from 29 deliveries with three fours and four sixes.

Their century partnership transformed the atmosphere and the complexion of the contest.

Namibia captain Erasmus said even his own camp had believed the game was disappearing before the pair produced their extraordinary response.

“Those two guys got us close in the end. At the 14-over mark, we thought we were out of the game but they nearly pulled off something special,” Erasmus said.

“This is a good six-hitting ground and the Zimbabwe batters also showed that. It was a good deck, but lots of positives for us to take out.

“Some special spells — Heingo comes to mind, and then at the back end, those two players. Those are the kind of innings that can take you far in an international career.”

Zimbabwe finally broke the partnership when Raza produced a crucial direct-hit run-out to remove Green in the 19th over.

Even then the job was unfinished.

With the match balanced on a knife-edge, Evans was entrusted with the final over and embraced the pressure. He removed Busing-Volschenk and Jack Brassell, while Bernard Scholtz was run out as Namibia’s charge ended five runs short.

“I enjoy those moments,” Evans said of being asked to bowl the final over.

“Kept a simple plan and executed.”

Evans’ three for 41 completed a decisive all-round contribution, while Bennett took two for eight. Raza finished with one for 31, Wellington Masakadza one for 25 and Muzarabani one for 39.

“Feels pretty good,” Evans said after collecting his maiden Player of the Match award.

For Zimbabwe, the victory was as important as it was uncomfortable. Having lost to South Africa earlier in the tournament, they are back in contention with all three teams now having registered a victory.

There will be plenty for Raza and his charges to address after allowing Namibia to rise from 76 for six and threaten a remarkable heist.