Day 4: Canada started the final day just 67 runs ahead, with only three wickets in hand. Zeeshan Siddiqi continued his excellent innings, passing fifty, and well supported by last man Zahid Hussian, extended the lead to over 100. Hussian survived 49 balls before being bowled by Opperman, leaving Zeeshan Siddiqi 73 not out, to go with his first innings of 87. Viljoen took 7/61 and Namibia needed 114 to win. Canada did capture two wickets but Namibia reached an easy victory shortly after lunch. although this was a disappointing result for canada, it was by no means unexpected. Canada was missing several first choice players including Baidwan, Chohan, Osinde, and Bagai, and the bowling attack was comparatively weak. Zeeshan Siddiqi’s first-class experience in Pakistan translated into two excellent innings, but the rest of the Canadian bats are far more used to one-day cricket with the experience of the longer form mostly restricted to the Intercontinental Cup. In contrast, Namibia are reaching the end of a season in which they played seven home based first-class games, and fourteen games overall, being part of the South African three day tournament. Canada were competitive for the first two days, and their first innings showed the ability to apply themselves. They looked set to take a first innings lead when Namibia were 6 down and still 80 behind, but were unable to finish off the innings effectively. Canada are bottom of the Cup table with a 0-3 record.
Attention now turns to the two one day games on Tuesday and Thursday.
Day 3: Canada got off to a great start on the third day, when Cheema removed both of the overnight not out batsmen with only 11 runs added to the score. Hopes of restricting Namibia to a modest lead were frustrated by the tail, with the 8th wicket contributing 34 runs, and the last wicket pair extending the lead to 100 at lunch. Soraine took the final wicket directly after the break, finishing with 4/66.
Canada advanced to 23 in their second innings but then lost Patel and Gunasekera, lbw to consecutive deliveries from Viljoen. Kumar made 31 before also falling to Viljoen, and then he took two more wickets, Hansra and Gordon gone before Canada went into the lead. Bhatti was bowled by Opperman with the score on 104, and with only 4 wickets left, Canada were facing defeat. Cheema struck three sixes in his 26, but then was caught and bowled. Canada took the game into a final day, thanks to Zeeshan Siddiqi who batted well again, and at the close was unbeaten with 45 from 114 balls. Canada lead by just 67 with a day to go.
CricInfo scorecard
Day 2:
Canada added another 10 runs their overnight score to total 274, with Junaid Siddiqui remaining unbeaten on 38. Canada’s opening bowlers were Cheema and Soraine, by no means the first choice but Soraine made an early breakthrough, trapping Ya France leg-before, and added a second wicket in a good opening spell. Cheema soon turned to spin, and the third wicket fell on 73, when Junaid Siddiqui had the third lbw decision of the innings go in his favour. Junaid Siddiqui struck again directly after lunch, having Snyman caught by Gunasekera. Burger and Van Schoor put together a century partnership for the 5th wicket taking Namibia past 150. Van Schoor (72) provided Soraine with his third wicket, then Junaid Siddiqui had Scholtz caught for a duck, but Namibian skipper Burger progressed to his second first-class hundred and his side to a first innings lead. At stumps Namibia led by 19 runs with 4 wickets in hand, with Burger unbeaten on 135.
Day 1:
Namibia won the toss and put Canada in to bat on the first day of the Intercontinental Cup match in Namibia. Canada lost two early wickets, Kumar falling for 5, and Gunasekera for 1. Patel contributed 22 before Williams had him caught, and Hansra followed, lbw for 1 – 46/4. Zeeshan Siddiqui and Tyson Gordon staged a recovery, Siddiqui hitting seven boundaries on his way to an excellent 46* out of 93/4 at lunch. Siddiqui completed his half-century with another four shortly after lunch, and the Canada hundred came up in the 32nd over. Siddiqui made 87, his best score in first-class cricket, as part of a partnership of 112. At tea, Canada were 158/5. Gordon made a patient 150 ball 42 before being caught by Williams from Burger’s bowling. Cheema started slowly but hit 9 boundaries in his 47, a welcome return to form and he was well supported by Junaid Siddiqui as Canada pushed past 250. Canada’s last wicket pair held out until stumps, and Canada will be pleased with the score of 264/9, reward for some patience and application by the middle order.