In a thrilling start to the five-match One-Day series, the Punjab cricket team secured a victory against Namibia in the first unofficial ODI at the Wanderers Sports Club in Windhoek. This series is part of Namibia’s preparation for their upcoming tour of Scotland. The visitors impressed with their performance, led by future stars Naman Dhir and Sanvir Singh.
After winning the toss, Punjab’s skipper Naman Dhir opted to bowl first, a decision that paid off as the team bowled out Namibia for 173 runs in 41.5 overs. Despite a resilient half-century (51) from wicket-keeper batter Jean-Pierre Kotze and crucial contributions from Jan Frylinck (27) and Alexander Busing-Volschenk (39), Namibia struggled to build a substantial total.
Siddarth Kaul, Gurnoor Singh Brar, and Ramandeep Singh were the standout bowlers for Punjab, with Kaul and Brar each taking three wickets and Singh claiming four, effectively restricting Namibia from reaching a competitive score.
Punjab faced early challenges in their chase, with openers Pukhraj Mann (0) and Prabhsimran Singh (18) dismissed quickly, leaving the team at 20/2 in the fifth over. However, skipper Naman Dhir and Sanvir Singh formed a formidable partnership, adding 131 runs to the scoreboard. Dhir, who plays for the Mumbai Indians, scored a crucial 61 runs, while Sanvir Singh of Sunrisers Hyderabad contributed 70 runs. Their efforts ensured Punjab’s successful chase, reaching the target in just 33 overs.
This victory not only marks a strong start for Punjab in the series but also highlights the potential of their young players. The next match is scheduled for July 5 at the same venue, where both teams will look to improve and compete fiercely. The series continues to provide valuable experience for Punjab’s players, many of whom featured in the IPL 2024 season, including Naman Dhir, Nehal Wadhera, Ramandeep Singh, Sanvir Singh, and Mayank Markande.
