Cricket-Narrow win for Zimbabwe after Evans’ final over heroics

Zimbabwe took four wickets in the ​final over to secure a ​narrow five-run victory over hosts ‌Namibia on ​Monday in the third match of the Twenty20 tri-series also involving South Africa. Brad Evans finished with 3-41 as ‌Namibia fell short of the target, chasing Zimbabwe’s 195-6 but being bowled out for 190 with the last ball of a high-scoring contest at the Namibia Cricket Ground.

Zimbabwe ‌were put in to bat and started brightly with openers Ben Curran (38) and ‌Brian Bennett (32) both getting among the runs, but they lost five wickets for 15 runs in a four-over spell in the middle of their innings. An unbeaten 94-run partnership in 48 balls between ⁠Ryan ​Burl (57 not out) and ⁠Evans (37 not out) then saw Zimbabwe climb to an imposing 195-6 off their 20 overs.

They looked ⁠to be well in command as Namibia slumped to 68-5 in the 11th over, but ​the hosts fought back with Zane Green and Alexander Busing-Volschenk smashing runs ⁠in 51 balls. Namibia needed 16 runs in the last over, but first Green was run out by ⁠a ​direct throw from deep for 54 and two balls later Busing-Volschenk (57) was caught behind off Evans with a flying catch from wicketkeeper Tadiwanashe Marumani, ending ⁠home hopes.

Zimbabwe are back in action on Tuesday against South Africa. All three countries ⁠have one win ⁠under their belts after two games each and play each other twice with the top two finishers contesting a final ‌at the ‌weekend. (Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; ​Editing by Hugh Lawson)