USA secured their first ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 title after defeating Namibia by four wickets in a high-scoring ODI at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas on Wednesday.
Chasing 299 for victory, USA reached 299/6 in 48.5 overs, with captain Monank Patel leading the way with a composed century. Patel scored 108 off 100 balls to anchor the chase and was named Player of the Match.
The victory gave USA another two points and confirmed that they could no longer be caught at the top of the League 2 standings. The result also added another significant milestone to USA's growing ODI cricket journey.
Namibia Post 298/9
After winning the toss, Namibia opted to bat first and posted a competitive 298/9 from their 50 overs.
Michael van Lingen was the standout performer with the bat, scoring 124 from 121 deliveries. He provided the foundation for Namibia's innings before Gerhard Erasmus accelerated the scoring with an aggressive 76 off 45 balls.
Erasmus' attacking innings gave Namibia valuable momentum in the middle and final stages of the innings, leaving USA with a challenging target of 299.
For USA, Ehsan Adil was the leading bowler, finishing with figures of 4/41 from eight overs. Shehan Jayasuriya also made an important contribution with the ball, taking 3/30 in his five overs.
Monank Patel Leads USA's Successful Chase
USA's response was built around a superb innings from Monank Patel.
The USA captain played a measured knock of 108 from 100 balls, combining patience with controlled aggression to keep the chase on track. His century provided the stability USA needed after Namibia posted a sizeable total.
Shehan Jayasuriya supported Patel with a valuable 74 from 75 balls, while Smit Patel added a crucial 50. The contributions ensured USA remained in control despite losing six wickets during the chase.
USA eventually reached 299/6 in 48.5 overs, finishing the chase with seven deliveries to spare.
USA Clinch Their First League 2 Title
The four-wicket victory confirmed USA as the champions of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2.
The result is another major step forward for USA cricket. They had already secured a place in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier, and the League 2 title further underlined their strong campaign.
The World Cup qualification journey, however, is not over. USA will now compete in the Qualifier for a chance to secure a place at the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
USA vs Namibia Score Summary
Namibia – 298/9 (50 overs)
Michael van Lingen – 124 (121)
Gerhard Erasmus – 76 (45)
Louren Steenkamp – 30
Ehsan Adil – 4/41
Shehan Jayasuriya – 3/30
USA – 299/6 (48.5 overs)
Monank Patel – 108 (100)
Shehan Jayasuriya – 74 (75)
Smit Patel – 50
JJ Smit – 2/46
Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton – 2/39
Result: USA won by 4 wickets
Player of the Match: Monank Patel
Venue: Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Dallas
Tournament: ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2, 2023-27
What the Win Means for USA
USA's victory over Namibia caps an impressive League 2 campaign and gives the team its first title in the competition.
For Monank Patel, the result was particularly significant. His century not only guided USA through a demanding run chase but also came in a match that secured a major milestone for the team.
With the League 2 title now secured, USA can turn their attention towards the next stage of their 2027 World Cup qualification campaign.
