The United States live to breathe another day after securing their second win at the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, beating Namibia by 31 runs at the M. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. A superior batting performance was enough for the USA to get over the line, with their chances of qualifying for the Super 8 stage still alive, subject to Namibia’s game against Pakistan.

USA Innings

USA skipper Monank Patel put his side in to bat first, motivated by the batting barrage they showcased against the Netherlands, and it didn’t take long for that call to pay off. Patel, alongside Shayan Jahangir, brought the attack straight away in the powerplay, scoring 65, their highest powerplay total at this T20 World Cup. 

But spin from Willem Myburgh finally broke the momentum, baiting Jahangir for 22. Patel got to a half-century in just 27 deliveries, but even he wouldn’t last long, swinging it to the fielder against the turn, like his opening partner, and Namibia balanced out matters a little more.

Star of the Netherlands win, Saiteja Mukkamalla, also failed to launch, with Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus culling his threat. Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Milind Kumar once again had the onus to keep it together for the United States, and keep it together they did. Krishnamurthi led the charge against the bowling attack, penetrating every angle of the ground, leaving the Namibians screaming in frustration.

Tensions got to the Namibians even more as Erasmus let go of the ball while composing himself after taking a brilliant catch of Krishnamurthi at deep extra cover on 32. It would end up being a costly mistake, as Krishnamurthi kept firing, past his half-century mark, getting up to 68*, with four fours and six sixes, setting the USA total at 199/4, their highest in a T20 World Cup.

Namibia Innings

Namibia’s openers Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck started strong against the pace in the powerplay, with a good run chase on the cards. Steenkamp particularly seemed comfortable against the rotating American bowling lineup. The T20 World Cup’s top wicket-taker, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, drew first blood for the U.S. with a caught-and-bowled dismissal of Frylinck in the final powerplay over.

Steenkamp and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton were still determined to see the run chase through, seeming very much at ease, as they got through the halfway point of the innings. A change in momentum was needed and came from Saurabh Netravalkar, who had been having a difficult World Cup campaign. He got Loftie-Eaton out and just two overs later, Shubham Ranjane ended the dangerous Steenkamp’s innings at 58.

The USA very much had their hand on the wheel from that point on. Despite some hits from JJ Smit and Zane Green, the Namibian run rate was stagnant, and eventually, the African nation fell 31 runs short, finishing on 168/6, as the USA walked away with their second win of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

“It didn’t go our way”

With three defeats, Namibia has been eliminated from the T20 World Cup, a disappointing end after some promising moments against major teams, and even in this game against the USA, which could have gone either way according to captain Gerhard Erasmus.

“Yeah, I think so,” admitted Erasmus in the post-match interview after being asked if he would have put his side to bat first. 

“It turned out to be a really good scoring wicket, but we’d have all liked to also have some pressure on the board. Unfortunately, it didn’t go our way,” he added. 

“I think that’s the way it goes. You can’t really control tosses, but you’ve got to just play a good game.”

“We do the homework”

With back-to-back emphatic wins, the USA are on cloud nine. With the 2024 and now 2026 campaigns, the USA has well and truly shown they’re above the associate quota, prepared for each and every opposition.

“We do the homework for every team,” said USA skipper Monank Patel. “We wanted to make sure we get a proper start, and I thought the partnership between myself and Sanjay (Krishnamurthi) was very crucial. And later on, the way Sanjay finished off the innings—credit to him.”

“We knew that 200 is a good score if we put pressure on through our bowling,” he further added.

The USA have done everything they can in the group stage, ending this round with two wins and two defeats, with a net run rate of +0.78, sitting in second place. India’s hammering of Pakistan by 61 runs has given the Americans a lifeline at the 2026 T20 World Cup. Their hopes now officially lie with Namibia, who will need to produce a miracle over Pakistan on February 18. However, regardless of that result, the USA will proudly reflect on this World Cup campaign.

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