The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 saw United States of America defeat Namibia by 31 runs in Match 26 at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on February 15. USA posted 199/4 in 20 overs. Namibia fell short, bowled out for 168 in 20 overs.
Sanjay Krishnamurthi starred with 68 runs off 33 balls. Captain Monank Patel added 52 runs. Louren Steenkamp top-scored for Namibia with 58 runs. Shadley van Schalkwyk took 2 wickets. Willem Myburgh grabbed 2 wickets for Namibia. This was a solid all-round performance from USA.
Match Summary: USA vs NAM
Here is the complete match summary of this Group A encounter:
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| USA Score | 199/4 (20 overs) |
| Namibia Score | 168/6 (20 overs) |
| Match Result | USA won by 31 runs |
| Best Batting (USA) | Sanjay Krishnamurthi – 68 not out off 33 balls (4 fours, 6 sixes) |
| Best Batting (NAM) | Louren Steenkamp – 58 off 39 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes) |
| Best Bowling (USA) | Shadley van Schalkwyk – 2/30 in 4 overs (Econ: 7.50) |
| Best Bowling (NAM) | Willem Myburgh – 2/22 in 4 overs (Econ: 5.50) |
| Player of the Match | Sanjay Krishnamurthi (USA) |
USA Innings: 199/4 in 20 Overs
USA scored 65 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket. Shayan Jahangir fell for 22 runs off 18 balls with 2 fours and 1 six. Captain Monank Patel played well and scored 52 runs off 30 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes. His fifty came in 27 balls. Saiteja Mukkamalla added 17 runs off 18 balls with 2 fours.
Sanjay Krishnamurthi played a match-winning knock of 68 not out off 33 balls. He smashed 4 fours and 6 sixes. His fifty came in just 23 balls. Milind Kumar contributed 28 runs off 20 balls with 1 four and 1 six. Shubham Ranjane remained unbeaten on 5 runs. Patel and Jahangir put up a 50-run partnership in 32 balls. Krishnamurthi and Kumar added another 50 runs in 29 balls. USA reached 50 runs in 5.2 overs, 100 runs in 11.3 overs, and 150 runs in 16 overs.
Willem Myburgh took 2 wickets for 22 runs. Gerhard Erasmus grabbed 2 wickets for 27 runs. Ruben Trumpelmann, JJ Smit, Max Heingo, Bernard Scholtz, and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton did not take any wickets.
Namibia Chase: 168/6 in 20 Overs
Namibia scored 57 runs in the powerplay with 1 wicket down. Jan Frylinck fell for 19 runs off 15 balls with 1 four and 1 six. Louren Steenkamp played a fighting knock of 58 runs off 39 balls. He hit 5 fours and 3 sixes. His fifty came in 33 balls. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton added 28 runs off 17 balls with 4 fours.
Captain Gerhard Erasmus scored 6 runs. JJ Smit made 31 runs off 23 balls with 1 four and 1 six. Zane Green retired hurt on 18 runs. Ruben Trumpelmann remained unbeaten on 3 runs. Dylan Leicher was not out on 0 runs. Steenkamp and Frylinck put up a 50-run partnership in 31 balls. Namibia reached 50 runs in 5.1 overs, 100 runs in 10.5 overs, and 150 runs in 18.1 overs. They fell short by 31 runs.
Shadley van Schalkwyk took 2 wickets for 30 runs. Ali Khan grabbed 1 wicket. Saurabh Netravalkar picked up 1 wicket. Shubham Ranjane got 1 wicket. Milind Kumar, Mohammad Mohsin, and Harmeet Singh did not take any wickets.
Key Highlight: Player of the Match – Sanjay Krishnamurthi
Batting: 68 not out off 33 balls
Strike rate: 206.06
Sanjay Krishnamurthi played a brilliant innings. He came in when USA needed acceleration. He smashed 68 runs off just 33 balls with 4 fours and 6 sixes. His fifty came in 23 balls. He remained unbeaten till the end. His partnership with Milind Kumar added 50 runs in 29 balls. This innings took USA to a massive total of 199 runs. USA’s bowlers then defended the total well. This win strengthened USA’s position in Group A.
