Excitement gripped cricket fans as Afghanistan outclassed West Indies by 23 runs in a T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match, while Namibia survived a scare against Scotland. The results underscore the growing prowess of associate nations on the global stage.
At Bengaluru’s BCCI Centre of Excellence, Namibia set a massive 226 for four. Zane Frylinck’s explosive 88, laced with 13 boundaries and three maximums off 44 balls, formed the backbone, complemented by Lauren Steenkamp’s quickfire 51. Scotland’s chase was derailed despite Brandon McMullen’s heroic 95, featuring eight sixes, as they ended at 220 for five, six runs shy.
Richie Berrington’s 46 provided resistance, but Namibia’s composure prevailed in a nail-biter. In the subsequent game, Afghanistan’s batsmen laid a solid platform of 182 for six. Ibrahim Zadran anchored with 51, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 43 added impetus.
West Indies faltered at 159 for seven chasing the total. Matthew Forde’s aggressive 52 not out off 26 balls offered hope, alongside Rovman Powell’s 32, but Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Azmatullah Omarzai and Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s identical hauls of two wickets, proved too much.
Rain played spoilsport in Colombo, washing out the Pakistan-Ireland clash without a toss. As preparations intensify for T20 World Cup 2026, these warm-ups reveal teams’ strengths and areas for improvement, promising an enthralling tournament ahead.