The United States of America (USA) has kept its ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign alive in spectacular fashion. Facing a must-win situation at Chepauk, the USA crushed Namibia by 31 runs to end their league stage on a high.
Skipper Monank Patel won the toss and elected to bat on a red-soil pitch that promised bounce. His decision paid off immediately. The Americans posted a massive 199/4, their highest-ever total in T20 World Cup history. In response, Namibia faltered under pressure, managing only 168/6 despite a solid start.
The USA innings was a tale of two aggressive bookends. Openers Monank Patel and Shayan Jahangir provided a dream start. They registered the team’s maiden 50-run opening stand of the tournament. Patel led from the front, blasting a 27-ball half-century before falling for 52.
While the Namibian spinners briefly choked the scoring rate between overs 7 and 14, Sanjay Krishnamurthi changed the game.
Krishnamurthi played a calculated, explosive knock. He bided his time against the spinners but unleashed carnage on the pacers in the death overs. He smashed an unbeaten 68 off just 33 balls, including six massive sixes. His late assault, aided by Milind Kumar, ensured the USA set a daunting target of 200.
Namibia began their chase with intent. Opener Louren Steenkamp looked dangerous, scoring a fine 58 off 39 balls. Alongside Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, he kept Namibia in the hunt, taking them to 99/1 in the 11th over.
However, the match turned once the set batters departed. The USA bowlers varied their pace and lengths brilliantly on the ageing ball. Namibia’s boundaries dried up completely. They hit 9 fours and 4 sixes in the first 10 overs but managed only a solitary six in the final 10.
Shadley van Schalkwyk was the standout performer with the ball again. He claimed 2 wickets, taking his tournament tally to 13—five more than the next best bowler. Ali Khan closed out the game, securing a vital 31-run victory.
This victory leaves the USA in a waiting game. Their league matches are done, and they have secured convincing wins over both the Netherlands and Namibia. Now, they must wait for other results to see if they qualify for the Super 8 stage. For Namibia, the defeat pushes them to the brink of elimination.
For his game-changing knock, Sanjay Krishnamurthi was adjudged the Player of the Match. Speaking on his performance, Krishnamurthi revealed a tactical approach:
Against the spinners, the ball was holding up a bit… I did not want to take any unnecessary risks.