Namibia beat Scotland by six runs in a high-scoring T20 World Cup warm-up match at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru on Wednesday, overcoming a stunning 95 from Brandon McMullen.
Namibia beat Scotland after Frylinck–Steenkamp blitz
Namibia held their nerve in a high-scoring T20 World Cup warm-up clash, defeating Scotland by six runs at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 in Bengaluru on Wednesday (February 4), despite a brilliant innings from Brandon McMullen.
After choosing to bat first, Namibia’s openers Jan Frylinck and Louren Steenkamp set the tone with an explosive start. The pair added 79 runs inside the PowerPlay, putting Scotland under immediate pressure. Frylinck led the charge with a powerful 88, while Steenkamp contributed a fluent 51, as the opening stand surged to 137 before being broken in the 11th over by leg-spinner Chris Greaves.
Namibia continued to build momentum through the middle and death overs, with captain Gerhard Erasmus remaining unbeaten on 33. Ruben Trumpelmann added late impetus with a quickfire 25, helping Namibia post an imposing 226 for 4.
Scotland’s chase began with an early setback when Michael Jones departed cheaply, but McMullen launched a ferocious counterattack. The all-rounder struck six fours and eight sixes in a blistering 39-ball 95, keeping Scotland firmly in the contest. He found able support from Mark Watt, who chipped in with 33, and skipper Richie Berrington, who scored a brisk 46.
With 12 runs required off the final over, the match was finely poised. However, JJ Smit produced a calm and disciplined over under pressure, dismissing Berrington and conceding just five runs to shut the door on Scotland’s comeback and seal a narrow victory for Namibia.
The result gave Namibia a confidence-boosting win in their World Cup preparations, while Scotland were left to rue missed opportunities despite an outstanding individual performance from McMullen.
Brief Scores:
Namibia 226/4 in 20 overs (Jan Frylinck 88, Louren Steenkamp 51; Chris Greaves 1-33)
Scotland 220/5 in 20 overs (Brandon McMullen 95, Richie Berrington 46; Max Heingo 2-44, Gerhard Erasmus 1-29)
Namibia won by 6 runs
