New Delhi: India delivered a commanding 93-run victory over Namibia in their T20 World Cup Group A fixture at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday, sharpening preparations for their much-anticipated clash against Pakistan in Colombo on Sunday.

Batting first, the defending champions piled up 209 for 9, powered by a blistering 61 off just 24 deliveries from Ishan Kishan. Namibia, who opted to field after winning the toss, were bowled out for 116 in 18.2 overs as India registered their second successive win of the tournament.

Kishan set the tone early, racing to his half-century in just 20 balls, including four sixes and a boundary off left-arm pacer JJ Smit in a single over. Sanju Samson added impetus with a rapid 22 off eight deliveries as India crossed the 100-run mark inside seven overs.

However, off-spinner Gerhard Erasmus checked the surge by dismissing Kishan with his first delivery and went on to claim 4 for 20 in his four-over spell. India briefly stumbled from 104 for 1 to 124 for 4 before Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube steadied the innings with an 81-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Pandya struck 52, while Dube contributed 23.

Pandya’s innings ended in spectacular fashion when substitute fielder Dylan Leicher completed a remarkable catch in the deep. Running towards the boundary, Leicher flicked the ball back into play as he crossed the ropes, then returned to complete the dismissal.

In reply, Namibia began positively but were undone by India’s spin attack. Varun Chakravarthy turned the game decisively, returning figures of 3 for 7 from two overs. He removed Louren Steenkamp for 29 with his first delivery and picked up two more wickets in his next over.

Axar Patel chipped in with two wickets, including that of Malan Kruger for five, courtesy of a sharp diving catch by Jasprit Bumrah at short fine-leg. Pandya also struck twice in consecutive deliveries late in the innings, though the hat-trick eluded him.

The victory marked India’s 10th consecutive win in T20 World Cups and kept them level with Pakistan on two wins from two matches in Group A, with India leading on net run rate.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan government earlier reversed its decision to boycott Sunday’s high-profile encounter. The winner of the India-Pakistan clash will secure qualification for the Super Eight stage as one of the top two teams in the five-team group.
AFP