Namibia national cricket team, the Eagles won the first of their five-match Castle Light Twenty-Twenty (T-20) Cricket series against Uganda, by eight wickets at the United Cricket Grounds here on Friday afternoon.

Namibia won the toss and elected to field first, restricting the visitors to a modest total of 127 runs for five wickets (127/5) in their 20 overs.

Uganda started off badly, losing a wicket in the first ball of the first over when Arnold Otwani was caught by JP Kotze from the bowling of Johannes Smit. That was before Simon Ssesazi was caught by Jan Frylinck following 54 runs from 54 balls after six fours and one six.

Teammate Dinesh Kumar Maganlal scored 25 runs from 15 balls before being caught by Stephen Baard from a Smit bowling.

In reply, Namibia easily reached the target by scoring 128/2 in 18.4 of the 20 overs.

Opener Baard scored 52 runs off 47 balls hitting five fours and a single six.

He was ably supported by Kotze who scored 39 runs off 30 balls from three sixes and three fours.

Man of the match, Baard said the team realised that the pitch was slow and hence the need to adapt and play appropriately.

“The boys did very well, we put the bad ball away and we had to work hard and professionally. Dylan Leicher did very well on his debut and he is for the future. He has proven what he can do in the past, we are looking forward to the future,” he said.

Leicher bowled three overs conceding 18 runs and taking one wicket on his senior team debut.

Returning all-rounder Kotze said it was easy to be back as the team welcomed him back with open arms.

“I am looking forward to playing more cricket with this team. It feels like home, like I have never been away, the reception was warm. They all supported me. I am glad to be playing. I missed cricket and I appreciate the love they gave me. I hope to get myself to the World Cup side,” he said.

Namibia will take on Uganda in the second match of the Castle Light T-20 Series on Saturday at the same venue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency