Table of Contents
The meeting between Pakistan and Namibia at the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup brought together one of cricket’s most successful nations and one of the tournament’s inspiring associate teams. While Pakistan entered the contest as one of the favorites for the title, Namibia had already impressed fans by qualifying for the Super 12 stage and competing fearlessly against stronger opponents. The match showcased Pakistan’s batting firepower, disciplined bowling attack, and overall dominance. This article provides a complete scorecard, detailed match analysis, key moments, player performances, records, head-to-head statistics, recent meetings, and answers to the most common questions cricket fans search for.
Match Summary
| Match | Pakistan vs Namibia |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 |
| Date | November 2, 2021 |
| Venue | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Toss | Namibia won the toss and elected to field |
| Pakistan Score | 189/2 (20 overs) |
| Namibia Score | 144/5 (20 overs) |
| Result | Pakistan won by 45 runs |
| Player of the Match | Mohammad Rizwan |
Pakistan continued its unbeaten run in the Super 12 stage with another commanding victory. After a cautious start, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam accelerated brilliantly before Hafeez and Malik added explosive finishing touches. Namibia fought hard in reply but never seriously threatened the target.
Full Match Scorecard
First Innings Scorecard
Pakistan – 189/2 (20 Overs)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam (c) | 70 | 49 | 7 | 0 |
| Mohammad Rizwan (wk) | 79* | 50 | 8 | 4 |
| Mohammad Hafeez | 32* | 16 | 5 | 0 |
| Shoaib Malik | 18* | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| Extras | 10 | – | – | – |
| Total | 189/2 | 20 Overs |
Namibia Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruben Trumpelmann | 4 | 31 | 0 |
| David Wiese | 4 | 30 | 1 |
| Jan Frylinck | 4 | 31 | 0 |
| JJ Smit | 4 | 40 | 0 |
| Bernard Scholtz | 3 | 31 | 1 |
| Gerhard Erasmus | 1 | 24 | 0 |
Pakistan built their innings patiently before exploding in the final five overs. Rizwan remained unbeaten with one of his finest T20 World Cup innings, while Hafeez and Malik ensured Pakistan finished close to the 190-run mark.
Second Innings Scorecard
Namibia – 144/5 (20 Overs)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephan Baard | 29 | 29 | 4 | 0 |
| Michael van Lingen | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Craig Williams | 40 | 37 | 5 | 1 |
| Gerhard Erasmus (c) | 15 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| David Wiese | 43* | 31 | 3 | 2 |
| JJ Smit | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan Frylinck | 0* | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 8 | – | – | – |
| Total | 144/5 | 20 Overs |
Pakistan Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 4 | 20 | 1 |
| Hasan Ali | 4 | 22 | 1 |
| Haris Rauf | 4 | 30 | 1 |
| Imad Wasim | 4 | 25 | 1 |
| Shadab Khan | 4 | 35 | 1 |
Pakistan’s bowlers shared the wickets evenly. Although David Wiese produced an entertaining unbeaten knock, the required run rate continued to climb, making the chase increasingly difficult.
Fall of Wickets
Pakistan
| Score | Batter | Over |
|---|---|---|
| 113 | Babar Azam | 14.2 |
| 164 | Mohammad Rizwan | Retired not out was not applicable; second wicket fell with Babar dismissed and Hafeez joined. Official wickets: Babar and Fakhar did not bat. Pakistan finished with two wickets credited after Babar and one late dismissal not applicable in score summary* |
*Pakistan officially ended at 189/2 with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan accounting for the major partnership before the finishers completed the innings.
Namibia
| Score | Batter | Over |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Michael van Lingen | 0.5 |
| 56 | Stephan Baard | 8.5 |
| 96 | Gerhard Erasmus | 13.5 |
| 115 | Craig Williams | 16.5 |
| 125 | JJ Smit | 18.1 |
Match Result
Pakistan defeated Namibia by 45 runs.
The victory strengthened Pakistan’s position at the top of Group 2. It also ensured they remained unbeaten after four consecutive victories in the Super 12 stage, virtually guaranteeing a place in the semifinals.
Player of the Match
Mohammad Rizwan
| Statistic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Runs | 79* |
| Balls | 50 |
| Fours | 8 |
| Sixes | 4 |
| Strike Rate | 158.00 |
Rizwan paced his innings perfectly. He rotated the strike early, punished loose deliveries in the middle overs, and accelerated dramatically in the final stages. His unbeaten knock became the backbone of Pakistan’s imposing total.
Key Moments
Babar and Rizwan’s Century Stand
Pakistan’s opening pair once again demonstrated why they were considered among the best T20 partnerships in world cricket. Their stand laid the perfect platform for a late assault.
Explosive Finish
Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik scored rapidly during the final overs. Their aggressive batting transformed a good total into an excellent one.
Early Breakthrough
Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Michael van Lingen in the opening over, immediately putting Namibia under pressure.
David Wiese’s Counterattack
Wiese refused to surrender despite the growing target. His unbeaten 43 entertained spectators and reduced the margin of defeat.
Match Highlights
- Pakistan registered their fourth straight win of the tournament.
- Mohammad Rizwan scored an unbeaten 79.
- Babar Azam added another captain’s half-century.
- Pakistan scored 65 runs in the final five overs.
- Every Pakistan bowler claimed at least one wicket.
- Namibia completed their 20 overs despite chasing a challenging target.
- Pakistan qualified for the semifinals with an unbeaten record at that stage.
Records Broken During the Match
| Record | Details |
|---|---|
| Pakistan’s unbeaten streak | Fourth consecutive Super 12 victory |
| Rizwan milestone | Continued his record-breaking run as the leading T20I run scorer in 2021 |
| Opening partnership | Another fifty-plus stand by Babar and Rizwan in T20 internationals |
| Team consistency | Pakistan crossed 180 for the second time in the tournament |
The match further highlighted Pakistan’s batting depth. Rizwan’s remarkable 2021 season continued, while the opening pair strengthened their reputation as one of the most reliable partnerships in international T20 cricket.
Head-to-Head Record
| Matches | Pakistan Wins | Namibia Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Pakistan has maintained a perfect record against Namibia in official international cricket.
Recent Meetings
| Date | Tournament | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2, 2021 | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | Pakistan | Won by 45 runs |
Since the teams have met only once in international cricket, this remains their only completed fixture.
Major Records
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | Pakistan – 189/2 |
| Highest Namibia Total | 144/5 |
| Highest Individual Score | Mohammad Rizwan – 79* |
| Best Pakistan Batter | Babar Azam – 70 |
| Best Namibia Batter | David Wiese – 43* |
| Best Bowling Figures | No bowler took more than one wicket |
Although the bowling figures were evenly distributed, Pakistan’s strength came from sustained pressure rather than individual brilliance.
Conclusion
The contest between Pakistan and Namibia demonstrated the difference between an established cricket powerhouse and an emerging associate nation, but it also highlighted Namibia’s determination to compete on the world stage. Pakistan’s top-order excellence, late-order acceleration, and disciplined bowling performance proved too much for Namibia to overcome. Mohammad Rizwan’s unbeaten innings and Pakistan’s all-around display secured another comfortable victory and reinforced their credentials as genuine title contenders during the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Although the two teams have only met once in international cricket, the match remains an important chapter in Namibia’s growing presence at major ICC tournaments and another memorable victory in Pakistan’s successful World Cup campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Pakistan vs Namibia T20 World Cup match?
Pakistan defeated Namibia by 45 runs during the Super 12 stage of the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
2. Who was named Player of the Match?
Mohammad Rizwan received the Player of the Match award after scoring an unbeaten 79 from 50 deliveries.
3. Where was the match played?
The match took place at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
4. What was Pakistan’s final score?
Pakistan posted an impressive total of 189/2 in their allotted 20 overs after an excellent batting display from the top order and finishers.
5. How many times have Pakistan and Namibia faced each other?
They have met once in official international cricket, with Pakistan winning the only encounter.