CHENNAI: The USA cricket team fired on all cylinders in their T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match against Namibia, amassing 199 for 4 thanks to explosive half-centuries from skipper Monank Patel and Sanjay Krishnamurti. This commanding total hands Namibia a mountain to climb in the 26th match of the tournament at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
With one victory from three outings, USA desperately needs points to challenge for a Super 8 spot. Batting first after a favorable toss, they started aggressively. Patel and opener Shayan Jahangir raced to 68 in 6.5 overs before Jahangir departed for 22.
Patel continued his assault, reaching 52 with elegant strokeplay—three fours and three sixes off 30 deliveries—while partnering Saitaja Mukkamalla for 21 runs. At 103 for 3, the innings teetered, but Krishnamurti steadied the ship.
The right-hander’s unbeaten 68, laced with six sixes and four fours in 33 balls, combined with Milind Kumar’s 28, yielded a match-defining 87-run stand. This late surge set the tone for what could be a defining win.
Namibia’s bowlers struggled, with Myburgh and Erasmus claiming two scalps apiece. The African side now must chase 200, a rare feat in T20s, especially against USA’s potent pace attack led by Ali Khan and Saurabh Netravalkar.
As the floodlights take over, Namibia’s batsmen face immense pressure. A win here catapults USA up the table, reigniting their campaign in style.