Chennai, February 15 – Riding on half-centuries from captain Monank Patel and Sanjay Krishnamurthi, the USA posted a massive total of 199/4 in 20 overs against Namibia in their last Group A match of the 2026 T20 World Cup here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.
Coming to bat after winning the toss, the USA got off to a great start as both openers, Monank Patel and Shayan Jahangir, looked in good form and forged an opening partnership of 68 runs, leaving the USA at 65/0 after the powerplay.
Namibia finally got the breakthrough in the seventh over when Shayan was dismissed by Willem Myburgh, who was playing his first match in the ongoing tournament. Shayan scored 22 runs off 18 balls, hitting two fours and a six during his innings.
Despite losing his opening partner, captain Monank continued the aggressive batting as he completed his first fifty in the 2026 T20 World Cup in 27 balls. Monank also became the first USA batsman to score 1000 runs in T20Is.
When the USA were 88/1 at the halfway mark, Namibia made a comeback with two wickets in the next two overs, with captain Monank departing after scoring 52 runs off 30 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes, and Saiteja Mukkamalla was caught at long on, scoring 17 runs off 18 balls.
After back-to-back setbacks, Milind Kumar and Sanjay stabilized the innings with a dominant partnership of 87 runs, which took the momentum away from the opposition.
Sanjay completed his fifty in just 23 balls with a six in the 17th over and remained unbeaten at 68 runs off just 33 balls. He hit four boundaries and six sixes during his innings, while Milind got out in the last over after scoring 28 runs off just 20 balls.
Willem Myburgh and Captain Gerhard Erasmus were the most successful bowlers for Namibia, as both took two wickets each.
Brief Scores: USA 199/4 in 20 overs (Sanjay Krishnamurthi 68*, Monank Patel 52, Milind Kumar 28; Willem Myburgh 2-22, Gerhard Erasmus 2-27) against Namibia
