ICC World T20 | Twitter reacts as UAE shock Namibia by 7 runs despite stunning David Wiese counterattack to hand Dutch Super 12s ticket

10/20/2022

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The final group A encounter between Namibia and the UAE provided a thriller for the ages as the latter emerged triumphant to ensure the Netherlands a Super 12s spot. David Wiese almost pulled off the impossible singlehandedly with his explosive knock and was left devastated after the game.

A rollercoaster game between Namibia and the United Arab Emirates in Geelong on Thursday ended in heartbreak for the African outfit as they fell just seven runs shy of progressing to the next stage of the tournament. This was the UAE's first-ever win in the marquee event's history and was duly celebrated by the Dutch fans as well since it meant the Netherlands finished in second place in Group A and advanced to the Super 12s stage after last year's disappointment.

Batting first, the UAE held their horses to slowly pile on runs without losing wickets. In the middle overs, opener Muhammad Waseem had a brief outburst to reach his half-century but soon departed for 50(41). Just when Namibia seemed to constrain the opposition's hopes of a par score, skipper CP Rizwan and Basil Hameed's blitz in the death overs saw the side close at 148/3, the former particularly impressive with his unbeaten 43(29).

In response, the Namibian batters faltered once again as has become the norm, collapsing to 26-3 owing to two quick wickets for spinner Hameed. Pacers Junaid Siddique and Zahoor Khan piled onto their misery to have them reeling at 69/7 before the tables turned completely. A struggling David Wiese was boosted by Ruben Trumpelmann's consecutive boundaries and went on to put on a batting masterclass, managing three fours and as many maximums. However, he failed to finish off proceedings with 14 needed off the final over, returning to the pavilion for 55(36) eventually leading to UAE's 7-run win.

While walking back to the dugout, Wiese raised both his hands in apology and even after the game was seen almost breaking down crying in disappointment. The entire Namibian team consoled him, although to little effect, and so did the internet to appreciate the all-rounder's stunning counterattack.

Was heart breaking!

pic.twitter.com/we1Z9T9WNj
— MINI BUS 2022 (@minibus2022) October 20, 2022

Feel for him

pic.twitter.com/vXXZx4e97P
— MINI BUS 2022 (@minibus2022) October 20, 2022

Thats sad!

Feeling sad for David Wiese,as he played really well, he try hard to win it.👏

But with a heavy heart we want them to be defeated for our benefit...🙂

Sri Lankan team can give us tough competition but we have now Netherland in our group 🤗

Hehehihehiou #MyTweets #T20WorldCup
— 10 shades of Tweets_🇵🇰🇵🇸 (@ErtugralTweets) October 20, 2022

What a player

Spare a thought for @David_Wiese. What a knock it was from the former South Africa international! But it could not get his team over the line. Melancholy for Namibian boys who began the tournament by upstaging Sri Lanka before losing the plot in 2 games.#T20WC2022
— Ankit Kumar Singh (@skywalkerhuss) October 20, 2022

Wiese Love!

David Wiese 💔🥲#T20WorldCup #NAMvsUAE
— Imran Ali 🇸🇴 (@Imranali_50) October 20, 2022

Dissapointed

@CricketNamibia1 will be very very disappointed. The way they thrashed Sri Lanka & then to crash out & play the way they did, that's disappointing. Very disappointing. Gotta feel for @David_Wiese, he was 💔#NAMvUAE #UAEvNAM #T20worldcup2022 https://t.co/MAix4DCwJu
— Ani (@anirudhani_) October 20, 2022

Dutch through!

What scenes - The Dutch fans live on, feel for Wiese though.. #NAMvsUAE #T20WorldCup
— AK (@rwamit) October 20, 2022

Royal rumble

Happy the #UAE 🇦🇪 won .. Also sad that #Namibia 🇳🇦 lost ..

What a match.. !!

David Wiese the Man !!#T20worldcup22 #UAEvsNAM
— Sadheesh Balan (@sadheeshbalan) October 20, 2022

In history books

@EmiratesCricket clinched a thriller to win their 1st ever match in WC history… 🔥💯

Namibians are now out of the WC but @David_Wiese was just outstanding today with the bat… 🔥❤️#NAMvsUAE #T20WorldCup
— Hamza Irshad (@Hamzair390) October 20, 2022

Thriller