WINDHOEK: Innocent Kaia struck a career-best 72 for Zimbabwe in a five-wicket victory over hosts Namibia in a T20I tri-series match at Namibia Cricket Ground on Thursday.
The Chevrons chased down 157 in 18.1 overs, losing five wickets in the process and boosted their hopes of reaching the final.
After losing Ben Curran for five in the second over, Innocent Kaia and Brian Bennett made the light work of the chase with a 61-run partnership. Bennett made 22 off 17, including three fours.
Zimbabwe stuttered a bit in the chase and slipped from 124-3 to 132-5 inside 15 overs. However, Ryan Burl and Tadiwanashe Marumani got them over the line with 12 and 13, respectively.
For Namibia, Ruben Trumpelmann picked up two wickets.
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Earlier after being put into bat first, Namibia made 156-6, thanks mainly to an unbeaten 88 from captain Gerhard Erasmus. He struck eight fours and three sixes in his 48-ball knock.
Alexander Busing-Volschenk also chipped in with the bat, scoring 29 off 31 balls with the aid of fours and a six.
For Zimbabwe, Brad Evans and Kundai Matigimu starred with the ball and claimed two wickets each.
If South Africa beat Namibia on Friday, Zimbabwe will qualify for the final.
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