South Africa survived a scare from Namibia to win by just 11 runs in the sixth match of the T20I tri-series in Windhoek. After being asked to bat first, South Africa posted a huge total of 228/4 in their 20 overs. Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Connor Esterhuizen gave South Africa a flying start, adding a quick-fire 156 runs for the first wicket before Esterhuizen was dismissed by Jan Balt in the 12th over. Esterhuizen scored a blazing 88 runs off 40 balls.

Pretorius batted until the final over and scored 101 runs off 53 balls. Jan Balt (2/31 in 4 overs) was the most successful bowler for Namibia, while Gerhard Erasmus and Ruben Trumpelmann also took one wicket each. While chasing, Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck gave Namibia a flying start. Namibia reached 67 without losing a wicket at the end of the Powerplay, giving themselves an excellent start.

The first two sixes were only the beginning of Frylinck's aggressive innings. He went on to score a superb 72 runs off 36 balls, while Steenkamp also played a valuable innings of 61 runs off 44 balls before retiring hurt. Gerhard Erasmus and Ruben Trumpelmann tried hard to keep Namibia in the chase, but their efforts fell short in the end, and Namibia lost the match by 11 runs. With this defeat, Namibia were eliminated from the tournament, while South Africa will now face Zimbabwe in the final on Sunday.

Pretorius and Esterhuizen Give South Africa a Flying Start

South Africa were asked to bat first and posted 228 for 4, their fifth-highest total in T20I cricket. The foundation for the huge score came from Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Connor Esterhuizen. The opening pair produced a massive 156-run partnership and put Namibia under pressure from the beginning.

Pretorius eventually reached his maiden T20I century. It was also his second international hundred after he had scored a Test century in Zimbabwe. South Africa appeared capable of crossing 250 at one stage. However, their scoring rate dropped slightly towards the end, as has happened during parts of the series. That late slowdown nearly proved costly because Namibia responded with an aggressive chase.

Esterhuizen Makes the Most of Opening Opportunity

Esterhuizen had already made a strong impression earlier in his international career. He was South Africa's leading run-scorer in their T20I series against New Zealand in March. However, he had not received much opportunity in this series until being moved to the top of the order for this match.

He took some time to settle during the first over but quickly shifted gears. Esterhuizen attacked Ruben Trumpelmann in the following over, pulling a short delivery over fine leg for six. He then charged at left-arm seamer JJ Smit and cleared the boundary again.

The batter continued his assault against Jack Brassell, hitting two consecutive sixes. By the end of the Powerplay, Esterhuizen had smashed five sixes and scored 40 runs from only 21 balls. In comparison, Pretorius had made 23 from 15 deliveries and had not hit a six.

Esterhuizen continued his remarkable attack. He took 24 runs from Brassell's second over, which was the ninth over of the innings. The sequence included two sixes, three fours and a dot ball. He completed his half-century from just 26 balls and gave South Africa enormous momentum.

Pretorius Finally Gets His T20I Century

Pretorius had come close to scoring his first T20I century only three days earlier. He was on 94 with one over remaining against Zimbabwe but could not reach the milestone. This time, however, he completed the job.

At the beginning of the final over, Pretorius had 89 runs. He hit Gerhard Erasmus for a huge six and moved to 95. He tried to reach his century on the next delivery but failed to connect with his attempted big shot.

Pretorius did not give up. He slog-swept the third ball of the over over the boundary for another six and reached his first T20I hundred. His celebrations were short-lived, though. Erasmus responded with a yorker, and Pretorius could not bring his bat down in time. He was bowled with two balls remaining in the innings, but he had already completed an important personal milestone.

Namibia Begin the Chase Aggressively

Namibia faced a huge target of 229, so their openers had little choice but to attack from the beginning. Jan Frylinck and Louren Steenkamp responded brilliantly. Both batters played aggressive shots and found boundaries regularly. Their confidence grew as the chase progressed.

Frylinck particularly targeted Andile Simelane, who had been added to the squad as a replacement for the injured Lutho Sipamla. Simelane's short deliveries were punished by Frylinck, who struck back-to-back sixes.

Frylinck Keeps Namibia in the Hunt

Frylinck continued to attack the South African bowlers and brought up his half-century from only 28 balls. He reached the landmark with a six against legspinner Nqaba Peter. Frylinck then targeted South Africa's stand-in captain Bjorn Fortuin, sending one of his deliveries over the boundary.

When Simelane returned to the attack, Frylinck again went after him and hit the ball onto the stadium roof. However, Simelane eventually got his revenge. Frylinck attempted another pull shot over midwicket but failed to make clean contact. Substitute fielder Tony de Zorzi completed the catch near the boundary. His dismissal ended a thrilling individual performance and removed one of Namibia's biggest threats.

Namibia Fall Just Short

Even after Frylinck's departure, Namibia remained in the contest. Steenkamp continued to fight and built the chase with his partners. However, South Africa slowly began to gain control during the final stages. A crucial moment came in the 16th over when Eathan Bosch struck Steenkamp on the arm.

Two deliveries later, Steenkamp was forced to retire hurt after scoring 61. His departure was a major setback because Namibia were still chasing a huge target.

JJ Smit came to the crease and scored nine runs from four balls before attempting another attacking shot. He was caught at sweeper cover, giving South Africa another important breakthrough. Namibia still had a chance going into the final two overs.

Mokoena Holds His Nerve

Kwena Maphaka bowled the 19th over and conceded 13 runs. That left Namibia needing 24 runs from the final six deliveries. Nqobani Mokoena, playing only his fifth T20I, was given the responsibility of defending the total.

He followed a clear plan of bowling wide yorkers. Two deliveries went too wide, while another became a full toss. However, Mokoena refused to panic. Most importantly, he did not concede a boundary during the final over.

He also took a wicket from the last delivery, completing a tense 11-run victory for South Africa.