Chennai, February 15 – The USA kept their Super 8 hopes alive with a crucial 31-run victory over Namibia in their final T20 World Cup 2026 group stage match, played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.
Winning the toss, the USA posted a competitive 199/4 in 20 overs, thanks to half-centuries from captain Monank Patel and Sanjay Krishnamurthy. The opening pair of Monank and Shayan Jahangir provided a strong start with a 68-run partnership, taking the USA to 65/0 after the powerplay. Monank then scored 52 off 30 balls, and also became the first USA batsman to reach 1000 runs in T20Is.
After a brief middle-order wobble, Milind Kumar and Sanjay added a crucial 87-run stand, shifting the momentum back in the USA's favour. Sanjay was the standout performer, smashing an unbeaten 68 off just 33 balls, including four boundaries and six sixes, to help the USA reach 199/4.
In reply, Namibia started positively, reaching 57/1 after the powerplay. Louren Steenkamp led the charge with a fluent 58 off 39 balls, while Loftie-Eaton contributed 28. However, the USA struck at key moments to derail the chase. Shubham Ranjane dismissed Steenkamp in the 13th over, and captain Gerhard Erasmus soon followed.
Shadley van Schalkwyk bowled a disciplined spell, finishing with 2/30, as Namibia were restricted to 168/6 in 20 overs.
Key statistics from the USA vs. Namibia match:
* Sanjay Krishnamurthy of the USA completed his 50 off just 23 balls. This was the 3rd fastest fifty scored by an Associate team batter. Stephan Myburgh of the Netherlands holds the record. He completed his 50 off just 17 balls v Ireland at Sylhet in 2014.
* Sanjay Krishnamurthy (68) recorded his highest score in his 13th match. His previous best was 37 v India in Mumbai in the current WC.
* Monank Patel (52) scored his 7th fifty in his 47th match. During his innings, he also completed his 1000 runs in T20Is. He is now the first batsman from the USA to achieve this milestone.
* Shadley van Schalkwyk claimed 13 wickets in 4 matches at an average of 7.76. He is now the leading wicket-taker in the current T20WC.
* Shadley van Schalkwyk became the only 2 bowler from an Associate team to capture 13 wickets in a single edition. Before Shadley, Bas de Leede of the Netherlands also took 13 wickets in the 2022 edition.
* The USA and Namibia have now played 3 T20Is. The USA have won all three matches.
