NAMIBIA PUSHED SOUTH AFRICA BEFORE LOSING
WINDHOEK: South Africa in a high-scoring nail-biter beat Namibia by 11 runs to reach the T20 tri-nation series final here at the Namibia Cricket Ground on Friday.
South Africa will face Zimbabwe in the final of the event at the same venue on Sunday.
After being sent in to bat first, South Africa posted a huge 228-4 in the allotted 20 overs, with openers Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Connor Esterhuizen putting them in a commanding position.
Pretorius blasted 101 off just 53 deliveries, smashing five boundaries and eight sixes, while Esterhuizen cracked 88 from just 40, hitting six fours and eight sixes.
Rubin Hermann added 26 off 21 deliveries.
For Namibia, Gerhard Erasmus and Ruben Trumpelmann claimed one wicket apiece.
In the chase, Namibia mounted a strong challenge and finished on 217-3 from the stipulated overs.
Louren Steenkamp (61 off 44) and Jan Frylinck (72 off 36, six fours, five sixes) gave the hosts an ideal start. Steenkamp struck five boundaries and three sixes in his innings before retiring hurt.
Captain Erasmus remained unbeaten on 30 off 26 while Trumpelmann provided a late boost with a 10-ball 21.
Nqobani Mokoena claimed two wickets for 43 runs in his four overs, while Andile Simelane took one.