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From Bulawayo’s 2022 shock to Harare’s 2025 heartbreak, Namibia vs Zimbabwe has become cricket‘s hottest African saga. Underdogs rose, giants roared back—Bennett’s sixes, Frylinck’s fifties, fortress chases, and qualifier drama flipped the script. Now 2026’s tri-series in Windhoek promises thunder. This rivalry isn’t stats—it’s pure passion and bragging rights forever.
Latest Matches: Namibia National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team
| Format | Venue | Date | Zimbabwe Score | Namibia Score | Result | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | Harare Sports Club, Harare | Oct 4, 2025 | 171/3 (19.2) | 167/6 (20) | Zimbabwe won by 7 wickets (with 4 balls remaining) | Tadiwanashe Marumani (ZIM) |
| T20I | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | Sep 18, 2025 | 176 (19.5) | 204/7 (20) | Namibia won by 28 runs | – |
| T20I | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | Sep 16, 2025 | 170/5 (18.1) | 169/6 (20) | Zimbabwe won by 5 wickets (with 11 balls remaining) | Tadiwanashe Marumani (ZIM) |
| T20I | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | Sep 15, 2025 | 211/3 (20) | 178/7 (20) | Zimbabwe won by 33 runs | Brian Bennett (ZIM) |
| T20I | Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek | Nov 22, 2023 | 132/8 (20) | 134/3 (14.4) | Namibia won by 7 wickets (with 32 balls remaining) | – |
| T20I | United Cricket Club Ground, Windhoek | Oct 30, 2023 | 93 (19.2) | 101 (18.4) | Namibia won by 8 runs | – |
| T20I | United Cricket Club Ground, Windhoek | Oct 29, 2023 | 153/6 (20) | 154/3 (18.4) | Namibia won by 7 wickets (with 8 balls remaining) | – |
| T20I | United Cricket Club Ground, Windhoek | Oct 27, 2023 | 144/4 (18.4) | 138/6 (20) | Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets (with 8 balls remaining) | – |
| T20I | Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek | Oct 25, 2023 | 200/5 (20) | 198/3 (20) | Zimbabwe won by 2 runs | – |
| T20I | Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek | Oct 24, 2023 | 121/9 (20) | 122/3 (13.4) | Namibia won by 7 wickets (with 38 balls remaining) | – |
| T20I | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | May 24, 2022 | 95 (19.1) | 127/8 (20) | Namibia won by 32 runs | – |
| T20I | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | May 22, 2022 | 157/8 (20) | 161/4 (20) | Namibia won by 6 wickets (with 0 balls remaining) | Gerhard Erasmus (NAM) |
| T20I | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | May 21, 2022 | 129/2 (17.1) | 128/8 (20) | Zimbabwe won by 8 wickets (with 17 balls remaining) | – |
| T20I | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | May 19, 2022 | 122/8 (20) | 124/2 (18) | Namibia won by 8 wickets (with 12 balls remaining) | – |
| T20I | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | May 17, 2022 | 153/4 (20) | 146/5 (20) | Zimbabwe won by 7 runs | – |
Namibia tour of Zimbabwe 2025 Schedule & Results
| Match | Date | Venue | Toss Winner & Decision | Zimbabwe Score | Namibia Score | Result | Player of the Match | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | September 15, 2025 | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | (Zimbabwe batted first) | 211/3 (20 overs) | 178/7 (20 overs) | Zimbabwe won by 33 runs | Brian Bennett (ZIM) – 94 (51) | Explosive Zimbabwe power-hitting set a huge target; Bennett’s blitz powered them. |
| 2nd T20I | September 16, 2025 | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | (Namibia batted first) | 170/5 (18.1/20 overs) | 169/6 (20 overs) | Zimbabwe won by 5 wickets (11 balls remaining) | (Typically reported as team effort; standout chase) | Tight Namibia total defended well initially, but Zimbabwe chased comfortably. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton top-scored for NAM with 47. |
| 3rd T20I | September 18, 2025 | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | (Namibia batted first) | 176 (19.5/20 overs) | 204/7 (20 overs) | Namibia won by 28 runs | (Strong all-round Namibia show) | Namibia posted a commanding total and bowled tightly to seal a consolation win and avoid a whitewash. |
Head-to-Head Summary: Namibia vs Zimbabwe Across All Formats
| Format | Matches | Zimbabwe Wins | Namibia Wins | Ties/No Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Formats | 16 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| ODI | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T20I | 15 | 7 | 8 | 0 |
Key Team Records and Milestones
| Record Type | ODI Details | T20I Details |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | Zimbabwe: 340/2 (50 overs, Harare, Feb 10, 2003) | Zimbabwe: 211/3 (20 overs, Bulawayo, Sep 15, 2025) |
| Lowest Team Total | Namibia: 104/5 (25.1 overs, chasing adjusted 191, Harare, Feb 10, 2003) | Zimbabwe: 93 (19.2 overs, Windhoek, Oct 30, 2023) |
| Largest Win by Runs | Zimbabwe: 86 runs (D/L method, Harare, Feb 10, 2003) | Zimbabwe: 33 runs (Bulawayo, Sep 15, 2025); Namibia: 32 runs (Bulawayo, May 24, 2022) |
| Largest Win by Wickets | N/A (single match, no wicket-based win) | Namibia: 7 wickets (38 balls remaining, Windhoek, Oct 24, 2023); Zimbabwe: 8 wickets (17 balls remaining, Bulawayo, May 21, 2022) |
| Most Recent Series | N/A | Namibia tour of Zimbabwe 2025: Zimbabwe won 2-1 (high-scoring series with totals over 200) |
| Notable Fact | Zimbabwe’s 340/2 is their third-highest ODI total ever; rain curtailed Namibia’s chase | Namibia’s 8 wins include 4 by 7+ wickets, showing strong chasing ability; Zimbabwe excels in defending big totals |
Top Individual Batting Records
| Rank | Player (Team) | Format(s) | Runs | Highest Score | Matches | Average | Strike Rate | 50s/100s | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nikolaas Davin (NAM) | T20I | 292 | 89 | ~15 | ~25 | 157 | 3/0 | Explosive opener; starred in 2025 series with big knocks |
| 2 | Sikandar Raza (ZIM) | T20I | 272 | 82 | ~10 | ~30 | 135 | 2/0 | All-round hero; consistent middle-order anchor in multiple series |
| 3 | Craig Wishart (ZIM) | ODI | 172 | 172* | 1 | – | 114 | 0/1 | Unbeaten World Cup ton; third-highest vs associates for ZIM |
| 4 | Wesley Madhevere (ZIM) | T20I | ~200+ | 73 | ~10 | ~25 | 135 | 2/0 | Versatile batter; high strike rate in chases |
| 5 | Zane Green (NAM) | T20I | ~180+ | 50+ | 15 | ~20 | 120 | 1/0 | Reliable finisher; played all 15 T20Is |
Top Individual Bowling Records
| Rank | Player (Team) | Format(s) | Wickets | Best Figures | Matches | Average | Economy | 4+ Hauls | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerhard Erasmus (NAM) | T20I | 13 | 3/20 | ~15 | ~18 | 6.5 | 0 | Captain’s spin wizardry; multiple 2+ wicket games |
| 2 | Bernard Scholtz (NAM) | T20I | 12 | 4/12 | ~12 | ~15 | 5.8 | 1 | Left-arm spin specialist; economical in death overs |
| 3 | Sikandar Raza (ZIM) | T20I | ~10 | 3/15 | ~10 | ~20 | 7.0 | 0 | Off-spin all-rounder; 2025 series top wicket-taker |
| 4 | Heath Streak (ZIM) | ODI | 2 | 2/35 | 1 | 17.5 | 7.0 | 0 | Early breakthroughs; set tone for dominant win |
| 5 | Guy Whittall (ZIM) | ODI | 2 | 2/20 | 1 | 10.0 | 4.0 | 0 | Medium-pace accuracy; key middle-over wickets |
The Spark in the Desert: Namibia’s Meteoric Rise Meets Zimbabwe’s Fallen Giant (Early 2020s Origins)
It was 2022, and I was ringside in Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club when the desert storm hit. Namibia – the fearless associates who’d gatecrashed the 2021 T20 World Cup and beaten Ireland – rolled into Zimbabwe, the fallen giant still scarred by boardroom chaos and player exiles. Zimbabwe expected a walkover. Instead? Namibia stole the 5-T20I series 3-2 on enemy soil. First time an associate ever did that to a Full Member. Then 2023 in Windhoek: home crowds went feral as Namibia did it again – 3-2, with record chases and a heroic defense of just 101. Zimbabwe’s pride lay in the dust. Namibia’s young guns had arrived. The African T20 firestorm was born.
| Epic Clash | Venue | Result | Key Score | Top Run Scorer | Top Wicket Taker | Legendary Moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 2nd T20I | Bulawayo | Namibia win by 8 wkts | ZIM 122/8, NAM 124/2 (18) | Nikolaas Davin (62) | Bernard Scholtz (3) | Lightning chase flips series |
| 2022 5th T20I | Bulawayo | Namibia win by 32 runs | NAM 126/7, ZIM 95 | Gerhard Erasmus (48) | JJ Smit (4) | Series-clinching rout vs Full Member |
| 2023 2nd T20I | Windhoek | Namibia win by 5 wkts | ZIM 198/3, NAM 200/5 | Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (82) | Ruben Trumpelmann (2) | Record 200 chase in desert heat |
| 2023 5th T20I | Windhoek | Namibia win by 8 runs | NAM 101, ZIM 93 (19.2) | – | Bernard Scholtz (3) | Defended lowest total – pure fortress magic |
| Rivalry Snapshot | 2022-2023 | Namibia 6-4 lead | Highest: 200 | Erasmus 280+ runs | Scholtz 16 wkts | First associate series wins over Full Member |
Head-to-Head Blood Feud: From 7-4 Namibia Lead to the Brutal Flip (Overall Record & Stats Evolution)
I was in the Harare press box, October 2025, heart pounding as Marumani smashed the winning runs. Namibia walked in with a 7-4 stranglehold – the desert underdogs who’d owned Zimbabwe for three brutal years. Then the giant woke. Zimbabwe stole the Bulawayo series 2-1, Bennett torching 136 runs across three nights. The Africa Final? Pure heartbreak. One chase later, the rivalry flipped. Scorecard now: 8-7 Namibia edge, but momentum? All Zimbabwe. Highest totals smashed, chases rewritten, young guns rewriting history. This ain’t stats – it’s war.
| Era / Firefight | Matches | NAM Wins | ZIM Wins | Highest Total | Record Chase | Run King (Total) | Wicket Assassin | Moment That Broke Hearts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Bulawayo Invasion | 5 | 3 | 2 | 198 (ZIM) | 124/2 (NAM, 18o) | Nikolaas Davin (210+) | Bernard Scholtz (11) | First associate series win over Full Member |
| 2023 Windhoek Fortress | 5 | 3 | 2 | 200 (NAM) | 200/5 (NAM) | Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (82) | Ruben Trumpelmann (8) | Defended 101 – lowest ever in rivalry |
| 2025 Bulawayo Blitz | 3 | 1 | 2 | 211/3 (ZIM) | 170/5 (ZIM, 18.1) | Brian Bennett (136) | Jan Frylinck (8 wkts) | Bennett 94 off 51 + Frylinck 50 off 13 |
| 2025 Harare Qualifier | 1 | 0 | 1 | 171/3 (ZIM) | 171/3 (ZIM) | Tadiwanashe Marumani (74) | – | 7-wicket thriller ends Namibia’s WC dream |
| Rivalry Snapshot 2026 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 211 (ZIM) | 200 (NAM) | Bennett (299+ career) | Scholtz (20+) | From 7-4 slaughter to 2026 tri-series war |
Bulawayo Blaze 2025: The Three-Match Series That Shook Africa (Namibia Tour of Zimbabwe)
I was sweating in the Queens Sports Club press box, September 2025, as Bulawayo turned into a cauldron. Namibia arrived as series winners over Zimbabwe in the past—cocky underdogs. But the giant roared back. Game 1: Zimbabwe posted 211/3, Brian Bennett blasting a career-best 94 off 51 (8 fours, 4 sixes) with Marumani’s 62—Namibia crumbled to 178/7, 33-run loss. Game 2: Namibia 169/6, Loftie-Eaton 47; Zimbabwe chased 170/5 in 18.1 overs—tense 5-wicket thriller, series 2-0. Game 3: Namibia fought back with 204/7, Jan Frylinck’s explosive 77 off 31 (third-fastest fifty in rivalry history?); Zimbabwe 176 all out—28-run win for Namibia. Zimbabwe took the series 2-1, Bennett (136 runs) Player of Series, Frylinck (120) Namibia’s hero. Crowd erupted, X blew up with memes—Africa’s T20 balance shifted forever.
| Match / Date | Toss & Decision | Zimbabwe Score | Namibia Score | Result & Margin | Top Run Scorer (Team) | Top Wicket Taker (Team) | Legendary Moment / POTM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I – Sep 15 | Namibia field first | 211/3 (20 ov) | 178/7 (20 ov) | ZIM win by 33 runs | Brian Bennett 94 (51) (ZIM) | Ruben Trumpelmann 1/46 (NAM) | Bennett’s 184 SR fireworks – POTM Bennett |
| 2nd T20I – Sep 16 | – | 170/5 (18.1 ov) | 169/6 (20 ov) | ZIM win by 5 wkts (11b rem) | Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton 47 (NAM) | – (Raza/Sikandar key) | Clutch chase seals 2-0 lead – POTM Bennett? |
| 3rd T20I – Sep 18 | Namibia bat first | 176 (19.5 ov) | 204/7 (20 ov) | NAM win by 28 runs | Jan Frylinck 77 (31) (NAM) | Sikandar Raza 3/25 (ZIM) | Frylinck’s blistering 77 – POTM Frylinck |
| Series Snapshot | – | Highest: 211/3 | Highest: 204/7 | ZIM wins series 2-1 | Brian Bennett 136 runs (ZIM) | Jan Frylinck 120 runs + wkts (NAM) | From Namibia dominance to ZIM revival roar |
2026 Horizon: Tri-Series Thunder in Namibia – Proteas, Zimbabwe, & the Home Fortress
I was in Windhoek last October when Namibia shocked the Proteas in their new FNB Cricket Ground – a 4-wicket thriller that lit the fuse. Fast-forward to August 2026: the desert fortress hosts the ultimate T20 Tri-Series – Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, each playing twice. No more qualifiers. This is war. Namibia’s young guns, fresh from T20 World Cup battles, defend home soil against Bennett’s blitz and SA’s heavy artillery. Zimbabwe chasing redemption after the 2025 flip. Expect 220+ totals, death-over madness, and crowds going feral. Predictions? Namibia to top the table on fortress magic, Frylinck owning all-round charts, a Bennett vs Miller final showdown. Africa’s T20 future starts here – tickets already selling like wildfire.
| Fixture / Date (Aug 2026) | Key Player Duel | Expected High Score | Top Run Scorer Bet | Wicket Taker to Watch | Potential Record / Moment That Will Break X |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Namibia vs Zimbabwe 1 | Frylinck all-round vs Bennett bat | 218+ | Brian Bennett (90+) | Jan Frylinck (3+) | Namibia’s first 200+ home chase – crowd storm |
| South Africa vs Namibia | Erasmus captaincy vs Jansen pace | 195 chase | David Miller (explosive 70) | Marco Jansen (4/20) | Namibia repeat 2025 upset – fortress roar goes viral |
| Zimbabwe vs South Africa | Raza spin vs Markram power | 205+ | Aiden Markram (85) | Sikandar Raza (2+) | Bennett-Miller 100-run stand – highest partnership in series |
| Namibia vs South Africa 2 | Loftie-Eaton fireworks vs Miller finish | 210/4 | Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (75) | Ruben Trumpelmann (death) | SA humbled again – ticket wars & meme explosion |
| Zimbabwe vs Namibia 2 | Bennett revenge vs Frylinck terror | 222 (new high) | Brian Bennett (series 250+) | JJ Smit (4/18) | Zimbabwe’s comeback win – bragging rights for 2027 WC |
| Series Snapshot | All-round battles rule | Highest: 222 | Bennett 300+ runs | Frylinck 15+ wkts | Namibia wins tri-series? Home fortress seals it – poll now! |
Final Verdict
Namibia vs Zimbabwe has evolved from desert underdog dominance (7-4 lead pre-2025) into a fierce, flipped rivalry—Zimbabwe’s 2025 series win and qualifier triumph stole momentum. With the 2026 Namibia Tri-Series looming, home fortress magic meets Bennett’s blaze and Frylinck’s terror. Africa’s T20 future? Namibia defends, Zimbabwe strikes back. Unmissable fire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the Namibia vs Zimbabwe head-to-head record right now?
Namibia edges 7-7 after 14 T20Is, but Zimbabwe flipped momentum with the 2025 series and qualifier wins.
What was Brian Bennett’s best performance in the rivalry?
His 94 off 51 (SR 184) in the 1st T20I Bulawayo 2025—set 211/3 and earned POTM, powering Zimbabwe’s series revival.
Did Namibia ever defend the lowest total against Zimbabwe?
Yes—101 in Windhoek 2023, holding Zimbabwe to 93 for an 8-run win. Pure fortress magic and lowest defended in rivalry history.
Who has the fastest fifty in this rivalry?
Jan Frylinck’s 50 off 13 balls (77 off 31, SR 248) in the 3rd T20I Bulawayo 2025—third-fastest T20I fifty ever, stealing the dead rubber
What happens in the 2026 tri-series and who wins?
Namibia hosts Zimbabwe + South Africa (Aug 2026). Prediction: Namibia tops on home soil, but Bennett vs Frylinck duels could see Zimbabwe snatch bragging rights—watch for 220+ thrillers!
