KIMBERLEY, South Africa, 17 February 2003 — Pakistan fast bowlers Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar ripped out Namibia for just 84 to seal a crushing 171-run victory in World Cup Group A yesterday. Man of the Match Wasim Akram captured five for 28 and Shoaib four for 46 as Namibia crumbled to the fourth lowest total in the tournament’s history in reply to Pakistan’s 255 for nine.

“This is like any other game, it’s the World Cup,” Wasim told a news conference. “You can’t just take it easier against the so-called weaker teams, you have to treat every game seriously.”

Namibia’s innings lasted just 17.4 overs and 89 minutes, but it could have been even worse as they collapsed to 42 for nine before a partnership of 42 between Bjorn Kotze and Rudi van Vuuren doubled their total. The last-wicket pair prevented the African team from posting the lowest ever World Cup innings score, still Canada’s 45 against England in 1979.

Showing no mercy against a team of scratch amateurs, Pakistan’s fearsome opening bowlers terrorized the Namibians from the outset.

Namibia lost five wickets in the first three overs, four batsmen made ducks and only three players, Jan-Berry Burger (14) and tailenders Kotze (24 not out) and Van Vuuren (14) reached double figures.

Wasim made the initial breakthrough when he had Riaan Walters caught behind without scoring in his first over, then Shoaib struck twice, getting Stefan Swanepoel caught at slip by Inzamam-ul Haq and sending the ball crashing into Danie Keulder’s stumps.

Wasim, playing a record 34th World Cup match, removed Gavin Murgatroyd (4) and Louis Burger (0) in successive balls but missed out on a hat trick, a feat Shoaib also narrowly failed to achieve after dismissing Jan-Berry Burger and Gerrie Snyman.

Wasim blasted out Melt van Schoor (2) and Deon Kotze to complete his sixth five-wicket haul in One-Day Internationals and edge to within two victims of becoming the first player to reach the magical 500 milestone. Shoaib, whose fastest delivery was timed at 159.1 kph, almost claimed a fifth victim himself when he bowled Bjorn Kotze with the total on 52, only to see the delivery called a no-ball, and off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq was left to pick up the final wicket.

Namibia’s woeful batting display spoiled what had been a much improved performance by their bowlers.

After conceding 340 in their opening defeat by Zimbabwe, the African part-timers did well to restrict Pakistan.

Saleem Elahi scored a patient 63 off 100 balls to spare his team’s blushes as the Pakistan batsmen struggled to master a pedestrian but enthusiastic Namibian attack.

Soundly beaten by Australia in the their first game, Pakistan opted to bat first to give their top order some practice.

Although no-one except Elahi passed 50, most of Pakistan’s main batsmen spent some time in the middle, with Yousuf Youhana making 43, Rashid Latif 36, Younis Khan 28 and Saeed Anwar 23.

Captain of routed Namibia

defends cup minnows

Namibia captain Deon Kotze defended his team’s right to be at the World Cup after they suffered their second humiliating loss of the tournament.

Despite being hopelessly outclassed in a crushing 171-run defeat, Kotze so-called minnows deserve the chance to compete on cricket’s biggest stage.

“I don’t think cricket can grow globally if it’s kept to a select group of 10 or 11 or 12 teams,” Kotze said. “The only way the game will grow globally is if countries like Namibia, Netherlands, Canada and Kenya are allowed to play and are allowed to grow into the game.

“Zimbabwe are a classic example. After playing test cricket for years and finally now they are very competitive at this level.

“I think it’ll be the same with us but the only way the game will grow globally is if the smaller teams are allowed to participate and if anything I think we should be allowed to participate more regularly.”

“I’m very proud of the way we bowled today, but we obviously didn’t bat anywhere near well enough,” the captain said. (Agencies)