ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019, semi-final 2: Papua New Guinea v Namibia – Preview, likely XIs, prediction

It’s one of the peculiarities of a few of the ICC tournaments that the most important prizes are won well before the final stages. There’s still a few days left of the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019, but the main purpose of the tournament – identifying qualifiers for the main event in Australia next year – has already been fulfilled.

Despite that, the tournament still has to run its course, and so it is that Namibia and PNG will clash in the second semi-final of the event on Friday, November 1. Both sides, having probably exhausted their mental reserves in making that final push for the main event, will clash have to reenergise themselves and big up for the semi.

Having finished at the top of Group A and qualified at the first time of asking, PNG have had some time off to recuperate and soak in their feat. Namibia, however, had to see off Oman in the first play-off to book their own place on Tuesday. Can they refocus, having probably reached emotional highs unlike they ever have before?

As for the actual cricket, the semi-final is unlikely to progress the same as their group clash, when PNG won by a massive 81 runs. Namibia have turned their campaign around since that loss, winning five matches on the trot thereafter, and will be altogether a tougher opposition.

The teams will also have to remind themselves that they are contesting for a place in the final of an ICC event, and that should provide sufficient motivation to make this a decent contest.

Head to head

Their group stage clash earlier in the tournament was their first ever T20I clash. PNG won that match by 81 runs.

Key players

Norman Vanua (PNG): The PNG all-rounder rescued the side from 19/6 with a half-century against Kenya, and took wickets thereafter to secure victory. It was a singularly important performance in PNG’s history, and he will be buzzing from that. Namibia will have earmarked him as one to watch out, but he could still be a handful.

JJ Smit (Namibia): A half-century against Oman in the play-off, a 43 against Scotland earlier in the tournament, a hat full of wickets. Smit turns up when the team needs him the most, both with bat and ball, and is one of their most dangerous players. He’s one to watch out.

Likely XIs

PNG: Tony Ura, Assad Vala (c), Lega Siaka, Charles Amini, Sese Bau, Riley Hekure, Kiplin Doriga (wk), Norman Vanua, Jason Kila, Damien Ravu, Nosaina Pokana

Namibia: Stephan Baard, Nikolaas Davin, JP Kotze, Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus (c), Zane Green (wk), JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Christi Viljoen, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo

Prediction

Namibia are in a rich vein of form – expect them to exact revenge for their group stage defeat.E