New Delhi, Feb 11 (NationPress) Namibia's young fast bowling star Max Heingo stated that his squad aims to restrict the defending champions India to 180 runs and avoid letting them reach 250 when the two teams face off in a Group A match of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday.

Namibia enters this contest against India following a seven-wicket defeat to the Netherlands at the same venue on Tuesday. “No, they’re not going to score over 250 against us - absolutely not. I predict they might reach around 180 at most. However, 300 is out of the question,” Heingo shared in an exclusive interview with IANS ahead of the match.

With a packed stadium anticipated for Thursday’s encounter, Heingo, who is making his debut in the T20 World Cup, expressed that playing India in their home ground will be both daunting and thrilling. Before the World Cup, Heingo claimed two wickets in warm-up matches at the BCCI CoE Ground in Bengaluru against Scotland and India A, where he dismissed Priyansh Arya and Vipraj Nigam.

“It’s been an amazing experience. I’m here to understand how the World Cup operates and to perform under the pressure of 50,000 spectators. This is my first time playing here, and I’m eager to showcase my skills based on my training,” he stated.

“I will feel the pressure and nervousness. However, they have a wealth of experience in high-pressure games. For me, it’s a good opportunity. My teammates inspire me and are helping ease my nerves, but I know I will still feel anxious. I just want to execute my skills that I’ve practiced for this moment,” he elaborated.

Heingo, who has taken two wickets in as many T20 Internationals, attributed Namibia's loss to the Netherlands to a solitary fielding error. “In the last game, a single dropped catch cost us the match. We feel disappointed but proud of our effort as we gave our all. We are looking forward to winning our remaining matches,” he explained.

Discussing the influence of consultant coach Gary Kirsten, who led India to their 2011 ODI World Cup victory, Heingo remarked, “His experience is invaluable. It aids our team-building process and teaches us about the essence of cricket. I’m grateful to have him on board.”

He also acknowledged the support from lead bowlers Ruben Trumpelmann and JJ Smit. “It’s beneficial since I’m learning from their experiences under pressure. I look forward to playing alongside them and gaining more insights,” he said.

Heingo hails from Walvis Bay, a coastal city located around 300 kilometers from Namibia's capital, Windhoek. He was identified through Cricket Namibia's development program, which seeks to discover and nurture young talent. Growing up in the township, he faced long walks and limited resources, coming from a humble family background.

Born in Oshakati and raised by his grandmother in Oshali village within the Ohangwena region, Heingo first encountered cricket as a third grader when a teacher named Quinton Hauseb visited his class to recruit players.

Though initially unfamiliar with the sport, Hauseb's encouragement sparked Heingo's interest. Recognizing his potential, Hauseb urged him to practice consistently, leading to his recognition by development program scouts.

He made his T20I debut against South Africa, where he took the wicket of captain and opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius. Currently a grade 11 student at Flamingo Secondary School in Walvis Bay, Heingo juggles his studies with cricket training, spending his free time either in the gym or playing video games.

With inspiration drawn from South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, especially due to their similar smooth bowling style, Heingo's passion and ability to bowl fast have led to his rapid ascent in cricket. “I began playing cricket at school. There’s genuine cricket in the city, just like in Windhoek - we have proper fields,” he concluded.