Chennai, Feb 15 (NationPress) Shadley van Schalkwyk showcased his excellent form by taking two vital wickets as the USA held Namibia to 168/6 in 20 overs, while chasing a target of 200 runs, leading to a convincing 31-run victory in their final group stage match of the T20 World Cup 2026 held at the renowned MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

This win marks the USA's second successive triumph in the tournament, keeping their aspirations of advancing to the Super 8 stage alive. However, they require either India or Pakistan to lose both of their remaining group matches by significant margins.

In pursuit of a daunting total for their first victory in the ongoing tournament, Namibia began positively with both openers, Jan Frylink and Louren Steenkamp, scoring rapidly and maintaining a run rate above ten while managing the required rate.

The USA broke this partnership in the fifth over when Frylink was caught and bowled by van Schalkwyk, having scored 19 runs off just 15 balls, as Namibia reached 57/1 by the end of the powerplay.

Despite losing Frylink, Louren kept the pressure on the USA bowlers, forming a 45-run partnership with Loftie-Eaton, who contributed 28 runs from 17 balls with four boundaries.

Louren reached his half-century in just 33 balls, but his innings ended when USA bowler Shubham Ranjane dismissed him with a slower ball in the 13th over. Louren's score stood at 58 runs off 39 balls, including five boundaries and three sixes.

The USA struck again in the 15th over, sending captain Gerhard Erasmus back for only 6 runs off ten balls.

Namibia struggled to recover from these swift dismissals, as JJ Smit and wicketkeeper Zane Green, who retired out in the 18th over, couldn't keep pace with the ever-increasing run rate.

Van Schalkwyk emerged as the top bowler for the USA, finishing with figures of 2/30, while Sourabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, and Shubham Ranjane each took one wicket.

Earlier, led by captain Monank Patel and Sanjay Krishnamurthi's half-centuries, the USA posted a formidable total of 199/4 in 20 overs.

Batting first after winning the toss, the USA enjoyed a strong start, with openers Monank Patel and Shayan Jahangir forming a 68-run partnership. At the end of the powerplay, they stood at 65 for no loss.

Namibia finally broke through in the seventh over when Willem Myburgh, making his tournament debut, dismissed Shayan, who scored 22 runs off 18 balls.

Despite the loss of his partner, Monank continued to attack and reached his first fifty of the T20 World Cup 2026 in just 27 balls, also becoming the first USA batter to hit 1000 runs in T20Is.

With the USA at 88/1 at the halfway point, Namibia fought back with two wickets in two overs, including Monank, who scored 52 runs off 30 balls, and Saiteja Mukkamalla who managed 17 runs.

After these setbacks, Milind Kumar and Sanjay steadied the ship with a commanding 87-run partnership, shifting the momentum back to the USA.

Sanjay reached his fifty in a brisk 23 balls, finishing unbeaten with 68 runs off just 33 balls, including four boundaries and six sixes, while Milind scored 28 runs off 20 balls before falling in the final over.

Brief Scores: USA 199/4 in 20 overs (Sanjay Krishnamurthi 68 not out, Monank Patel 52, Milind Kumar 28; Willem Myburgh 2-22, Gerhard Erasmus 2-27) beat Namibia 168/6 in 20 overs (Louren Steenkamp 58, JJ Smit 31; Shadley van Schalkwyk 2-30, Shubham Ranjane 1-6) by 31 runs