T20 World Cup: Namibia here to shock cricket after beating Sri Lanka in tournament group match

Namibia is not in Australia to play a part in another team’s World Cup-winning journey. They want to ‘dominate this tournament’ and lift the cup.

Namibia's Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton takes a catch to dismiss Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga during the Australia 2022 Twenty20 World Cup cricket tournament match between Sri Lanka and Namibia at Kardinia Park in Geelong on October 16, 2022. (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

NAMIBIA coach Pierre de Bruyn says his side cannot get complacent after a massive upset win, with the Netherlands desperate for revenge against the African side.

The Eagles shocked the cricketing world with victory against Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup opener and will face the Netherlands on Tuesday at Kardinia Park.

de Bruyn said the Netherlands would be out for redemption after Namibia secured a dramatic victory over the Dutch side in November’s T20 World Cup clash in Abu Dhabi.

“They want redemption, we’re fully aware of that,” he said.

“Last year we beat them in the World Cup, they’re going to come at us and we know that.

T20 World Cup at GMHBA Stadium. Namibia Coach Pierre De Bruyn. Picture: Mike Dugdale

“I think it’s going to be a very good contest between two really good, well-balanced sides.”

Namibia progressed to the Super 12 stages of 2021’s World Cup, and will be poised to do it again in Australia if it can secure victory against Netherlands on Tuesday.

de Bruyn said he was eager to go further this time around, with the second stage as far as the Eagles progressed last year.

“We know how important it is to play good cricket under pressure in the group stages,” he said.

Namibia's JJ Smit (R) and teammates celebrate the wicket of Sri Lanka's Chamika Karunaratne during the Australia 2022 Twenty20 World Cup cricket tournament match between Sri Lanka and Namibia at Kardinia Park in Geelong on October 16, 2022. Picture: Martin Keep

“A win tomorrow is really important for both sides, one of us will walk away with two wins from two, and that can give you a little bit of a foot in the Super 12 stage.

“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel from what we did (against Sri Lanka), I thought we nailed our plans in all three departments.

“Definitely it’s going to give you confidence and momentum, but it doesn’t guarantee you success going forward.

“We want to win three from three, we want to dominate this tournament and not just win some games, we want to win them all.”

Originally published as T20 World Cup: Namibia here to shock cricket after beating Sri Lanka in tournament group match