Canada fell to 2 and 2 in the Under 19 World Cup qualifier after losing an exciting game to Namibia. Dutta’s century guided Canada to a good total, and Canada looked on course for victory until a sensational innings by Zhivago Groenewald took the game away from them. Namibia ran out winners by 3 wickets with 8 balls remaining.
Canada won the toss and chose to bat. They lost their first wicket on 10, when Shah was leg before, but Kumar continued his excellent form hitting five boundaries as Canada reached fifty after nine overs. Rain intervened at that point, and the brief interruption seemed to affect Kumar (24), who edged the second ball after the resumption to second slip. Edgehill pulled two fours and then was caught trying the shot a third time, leaving Canada 67/3 after 12 overs. Dutta and Juvarajan (25) put on 59 until Juvarajan was caught at point, with the score 130 after 27.4 overs. Dutta reached fifty from 82 balls with four boundaries. He continued to play excellent cricket, putting on 52 with Aurka (14), and reached a fine century. He was unbeaten on 116 from 137 balls as Canada amassed 236/8 from 50 overs.
Aulakh made an immediate impact when Namibia started their reply, taking two wickets as Namibia reached 50/3 from 11 overs. Pathan struck in his fifth over, the Namibia captain Baard trying to pull a good length ball and giving an easy catch for the fourth wicket. Erasmus and Lotter re-built the innings with a 60 run partnership until Lotter skied Kumar and Namibia were 122/5 after 27.3 overs. Groenewald turned the game on its head with some spectacular hitting. Erasmus was caught in the deep for 61 after a partnership of 98, but Namibia at that point needed just 17 from 22 balls. However Zhivago Groenewald had to retire hurt, injuring himself hitting his 5th four to go with five sixes, then Wessells was run out, and with two overs to go Namibia still needed 12 with only 2 wickets potentially to fall. Shalako Groenewald however finished the game off in spectacular fashion, smashing two fours, and leaving Canada ruing missed opportunities.