Namibia and Zimbabwe claim T20 World Cup tickets

The race for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is heating up, and Africa now has its two representatives confirmed. Both qualification spots from the ICC Africa Regional Final in Harare have been claimed, with Namibia and Zimbabwe sealing their berths on Thursday after crucial semi-final victories.
Namibia’s Eagles Soar to Another World Cup
In the first semi-final, Namibia overcame a shaky start to defeat Tanzania and extend their remarkable run of consecutive World Cup appearances. The Eagles were reeling at 41/4 in the fifth over before an inspired counter-attack turned the game around.
An 88-run partnership in just 7.4 overs between skipper Gerhard Erasmus and the hard-hitting JJ Smit pulled Namibia back into the contest. Erasmus anchored the innings with a composed 55 off 41 balls, while Smit entertained the Harare crowd with his power-hitting, smashing four sixes on his way to an unbeaten 61 from 43 deliveries.
Smit wasn’t done yet. With ball in hand, he dismantled Tanzania’s top order, claiming 3/16 in his four overs and effectively sealing the result. The all-rounder’s dominant display ensured Namibia’s qualification for their fourth straight Men’s T20 World Cup, as they now look to replicate their Super 12 heroics of 2021.
Zimbabwe Bounce Back with Authority
Later in the day, Zimbabwe kept their cool against Kenya to claim the second African spot at next year’s showpiece tournament in India and Sri Lanka. Kenya’s skipper Dhiren Gondaria chose to bat first, but apart from Rakep Patel’s spirited 65 off 47 balls, Kenya struggled against Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling attack.
Chasing 123, Zimbabwe’s openers wasted little time. Brian Bennett launched an aggressive assault, scoring 51 runs from just 25 balls. His innings included six fours in a single over off Lucas Ndandason, effectively shutting the door on Kenya’s hopes. The Chevrons cruised to a seven-wicket win, securing their World Cup return after missing out on the 2024 edition.
Africa’s Spots Secured, Eyes on Asia-EAP
With Namibia and Zimbabwe booking their tickets, Africa’s qualification race is complete. The spotlight now shifts to the Asia-East Asia Pacific (Asia-EAP) Qualifier, where three spots remain up for grabs for the 2026 tournament.
As the cricketing world prepares for another high-octane ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, both Namibia and Zimbabwe will head into the global stage with renewed confidence. For Namibia, it’s about consistency and building on past success, while for Zimbabwe, it’s a chance to re-establish themselves among cricket’s elite after a brief absence.