Former India pacer Ajit Agarkar believes Namibia will be the most outstanding team at the T20 World Cup in 2021. The associate country outperformed expectations by reaching the Super 12s stage ahead of Ireland and the Netherlands.
Namibia has competed well enough against the dominant sides in the Super 12s phases of the tournament, according to Agarkar. The team won their first game against Scotland, but then lost to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and New Zealand in their group.
“Namibia have been the most impressive associate team. They have competed, that is what you expect from teams who have qualified. You cannot expect them to start beating more experienced and stronger teams. They are expecting to compete and they did.” Agarkar said
T20 World Cup
Namibia was the most impressive associate nation at this year’s T20 World Cup, according to former Australian batsman Tom Moody.
“Firstly, they find themselves in the Super 12s stage so, credit to them for qualifying, they probably dreamt for that moment and it is great for the ICC as well to see one of the emerging countries to find their way into the main part of the World Cup. So, yes, they were the most impressive associate nation.” He added
Namibia will try to make a statement against India in the tournament’s last group stage match.
When asked which aspect of Namibia’s batting requires the most work, Moody stated that it is the top-order. In their four encounters, Namibia only managed to avoid losing a wicket in the powerplay once.
JJ Smit and David Wiese’s experience came in useful in the lower order, with the top order unable to cope with the established heavyweights’ level of bowling.
Namibia’s death bowling, on the other hand, needed to be fixed, according to Ajit Agarkar, who believes the batting will improve if they play routinely against elite sides.
“Batting is something that all associate nations will grow in confidence the more they play against the stronger teams. So if you have to look at an area where Namibia need improvement, it would be in their death bowling.” Agarkar added
Namibia is presently rank fifth in the points standings, with two points. They can surely take a lot of positives from their effort in the United Arab Emirates.
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