Zimbabwe, Namibia seal T20 World Cup spots after sailing through Africa qualifiers

Zimbabwe see of Kenya with commanding performance

Zimbabwe booked their ticket to the T20 World Cup with a commanding seven-wicket win over Kenya in the semi-final of the at Harare Sports Club, thanks to another explosive innings from Brian Bennett.

Kenya, having opted to bat first, struggled to impose themselves against a disciplined home attack, with only Rakep Patel showing real resistance.

Blessing Muzarabani struck with his very first delivery, removing Dhiren Gondaria for just one, and from there Kenyaâ™s top order crumbled.

Patel stood tall amid the collapse, crafting a fighting 65 off 47 balls that featured eight boundaries and a six.

He finally departed in the 17th over, caught and bowled by Richard Ngarava, leaving Kenya on 98-5.

Patel's partnership with Sachin Gill (19) was the only one of substance, as the visitors closed on 122 for six.

Muzarabani finished with excellent figures of two for 19, while Ngarava, Brad Evans and Tinotenda Maposa chipped in with a wicket apiece.

If Kenya had hopes of an upset, Bennett snuffed them out almost instantly.

The in-form right-hander launched the second ball of the innings over square leg for six before tearing into Lucas Ndandason in the fourth over, hammering 24 runs from it with six consecutive boundaries.

He brought up a blistering half-century off just 24 balls, only to fall next delivery for 51, caught by Jasraj Kundi off Vraj Patel.

By then, Zimbabwe were cruising on 76-1 inside seven overs.

Tadiwanashe Marumani provided strong support with 39 off 27, before also falling to Vraj Patel.

Even when skipper Sikandar Raza departed for 10, there was never any real pressure on the chase.

Ryan Burl, with 16 not out, and Tony Munyonga, with three not out, calmly saw Zimbabwe over the line with 33 balls to spare, sealing yet another emphatic victory in front of an appreciative Harare crowd.

Vraj Patel was Kenya's most effective bowler with two for 29, while Gondaria returned a tidy one for 17.

With qualification secured, Zimbabwe will now turn their focus to Saturday's final against Namibia.

JJ Smit stars as Namibia crush Tanzania

A superb all-round display from JJ Smit fired Namibia into the T20 World Cup and secured their place in the Africa Qualifier final, as they brushed aside Tanzania by 63 runs in the first semi-final in Harare.

It wasn't all smooth sailing for Namibia, who endured some early jitters with the bat.

After electing to bat first, Namibia slipped to 41 for four, losing Jan Frylinck for a duck to Ajith Augustin's second delivery and watching Malan Kruger's promising 28 end prematurely.

But from the rubble came a match-turning stand between skipper Gerhard Erasmus and Smit.

The pair stitched together 88 runs for the fifth wicket in just under 12 overs, steadying nerves and shifting momentum decisively in Namibia's favour.

Erasmus crafted a composed 55 off 41 balls before falling with the score at 129, but Smit carried the fight to the end, finishing unbeaten on a commanding 61 from 43 deliveries, decorated with four sixes and a four.

Their efforts lifted Namibia to a competitive total of 174-6, despite tidy spells from Khalidy Juma and Ally Kimote, who picked up two wickets apiece.

Tanzania's reply never gathered the urgency required. Their openers put on 29 in the first 5.3 overs, but the chase quickly unravelled once Smit returned with the ball.

He struck twice in three balls to rattle the top order and leave Tanzania reeling.

Abhik Patwa offered resistance with 31 from as many balls, while Mukesh Maker chipped in with 24 off 20, but Namibia's bowlers kept the stranglehold throughout.

Smit capped his brilliant all-round day with three for 16 in his four overs, well supported by Ben Shikongo's 3-21, as Tanzania were restricted to 111-8 to fall well short.

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