Summary

  • Namibia never in hunt, finishing 52 runs short - defeat confirms their elimination

  • New Zealand hit 67 off last four overs to reach 163-4

Live Reporting

Thomas Mallows

  1. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special

    It does rain occasionally in the UAE...

  2. NZ 9-0

    A single off the last ball wraps up a promising first over for New Zealand.

    Ruben Trumpelmann will open the bowling at the other end.

  3. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special

    Guptill hit that a long way.

  4. 6 runs

    NZ 8-0

    That's a statement of intent!

    A single for Mitchel brings Guptill back on strike and next delivery he takes a huge stride forward and hammers the ball back over the bowler's head for six.

  5. NZ 1-0

    Martin Guptill gets off the mark with a casual drive down to mid-on.

  6. Martin Guptill, who hit a fine 91 against Scotland on Wednesday, will open the batting for New Zealand alongside Daryl Mitchell.

    Bernard Scholtz has ball in hand for Namibia.

    Let's go....

  7. Carlos Brathwaite
    West Indies all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

    Today, for New Zealand, is just about winning.

  8. New Zealand's tough schedule

    New Zealand's World Cup schedule has been a little lopsided and has left them with a breathless finale.

    They had a five-game break between their opening loss to Pakistan and their second match against India, but they now face a run of three games in five days.

    They played Scotland in Dubai on Wednesday. Now they are in Sharjah for the Namibia match before heading to Abu Dhabi play Afghanistan on Sunday.

  9. The teams

    Line-upsGetty Images

    Namibia make two changes with Jan Frylinck out because of dehydration. Ananias Shikongo also drops out of the side, with Karl Birkenstock and Bernard Scholtz coming in.

    New Zealand are unchanged from their win against Scotland on Wednesday.

    New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (capt), Devon Conway (wk), James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Trent Boult.

    Namibia: Stephan Baard, Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus (capt), David Wiese, JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Michael van Lingen, Karl Birkenstock, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz.

  10. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson: "It looks a typical Sharjah surface so it's important we build proper partnerships early on, build that platform and get runs on the board. We have a few niggles but so far, so good."

  11. Things are starting to get tense in Group 2.

    India's comprehensive victory over second-placed Afghanistan on Wednesday has revived their semi-final hopes and put the pressure on New Zealand, who currently sit third.

    Their fate is still in their hands but they were made to work hard for victory against Scotland last time out. They cannot afford any slip ups here.

    Namibia still have hopes of reaching the last four themselves having won one and lost two of their opening three games. A big win is needed today though to keep those hopes alive.

  12. Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus: "The pitch looks good and their are small dimensions here so it's hard to defend the boundaries.

    "There have been lots of memories on this tour for us and we'll hope to make another one today."

  13. Namibia win the toss and will bowl

    Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus has won the toss and opts to bowl first.

  14. Good morning

    Welcome to another pivotal day at the T20 World Cup as the Super 12s stage edges to its conclusion.

    First up, is New Zealand versus Namibia in Sharjah.