Jan Frylinck’s electrifying 77 off just 31 balls guided Namibia to a thrilling 28-run victory over Zimbabwe in the final T20 international at Queens Sports Club on Thursday, denying the hosts a series clean sweep.
Despite Sean Williams’ valiant 77, Zimbabwe fell short chasing a daunting total.
Zimbabwe had already secured the three-match series with wins in the first two games, but Namibia fought back strongly in the decider.
Frylinck set the tone early, smashing Wellington Masakadza for 16 runs in the opening over, including three consecutive boundaries.
He then targeted Blessing Muzarabani, hitting a six and two fours in quick succession, before punishing Trevor Gwandu for 26 runs in the following over.
Frylinck reached his half-century in just 13 balls, helping Namibia race to 70 without loss by the end of the fourth over, alongside Louren Steenkamp, who contributed 11.
Tinotenda Maposa eventually broke the opening stand, having Steenkamp caught for 14.
Zimbabwe managed to rein in Frylinck after the powerplay, with Sikandar Raza finally claiming him, caught by Brendan Taylor for a blistering 77 off 31 deliveries, which included six sixes and eight fours.
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Raza struck again three balls later, bowling Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton for one, and Namibia lost JJ Smit to a run out shortly after.
Raza also removed Gerhard Erasmus for 14, but Ruben Trumpelmann continued the assault, blasting 46 off 24 balls before falling to Muzarabani in the final over. Alexander Busing-Volschenk finished the innings with a last-ball six, lifting Namibia to a formidable 204 for seven.
Raza was Zimbabwe’s standout bowler with figures of three for 25 from four overs.
Zimbabwe’s reply got off to a shaky start. Tadiwanashe Marumani struck a four and six off Gerhard Erasmus before being dismissed on the third ball, followed quickly by Brian Bennett for two.
Williams offered resistance, hitting ten fours and two sixes in his 77, but wickets kept falling at the other end. Brendan Taylor (6) and Raza (8) were both removed by JJ Smit, leaving Zimbabwe at 44 for four.
Williams and Ryan Burl added 41 runs together, stabilizing the innings, but the required run rate remained steep. Burl reached 32 off 24 balls before being caught and bowled by Erasmus.
Williams then combined with Tashinga Musekiwa for a 41-run partnership, but once Musekiwa fell for 13, Zimbabwe’s fate was sealed.
The tail managed just 14 more runs, and Zimbabwe finished on 176 all out in 19.5 overs. JJ Smit’s four-wicket haul was crucial in dismantling the top order, ensuring Namibia’s deserved consolation victory.
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