NAMIBIA has announced its squads for two major international cricket tournaments, with the national men’s and women’s teams set to represent the country on the global stage in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Nepal. The announcements underline Namibia’s growing presence in world cricket and its ambition to build on recent qualification successes.
Namibia’s women’s team, the Capricorn Eagles, has named its squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, which will be held in Nepal from the 18th of January. The tournament represents the final pathway to qualification for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, offering Namibia a historic opportunity to reach a women’s World Cup for the first time.
Suné Wittmann will captain the 15-member squad as Namibia competes for one of the four remaining places at the marquee event. The squad includes Suné Wittmann, Naomi Benjamin, Arrasta Diergaardt, Kayleen Green, Mezerly Gorases, Victoria Hamunyela, Yasmeen Khan, Eveleen Kejarukua, Mekelaye Mwatile, Wilka Mwatile, Bianca Manuel, Sylvia Shihepo, Saima Tuhadeleni, Edelle van Zyl and Leigh-Marie Visser.
Namibia earned their place at the Global Qualifier through the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, where they finished among the top two teams. The upcoming tournament in Nepal will be a significant test for the Capricorn Eagles as they look to make history and secure Namibia’s first-ever appearance at a women’s Cricket World Cup.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Gerhard Erasmus will captain Namibia at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, to be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka. This will mark Namibia’s fourth consecutive appearance at the tournament, highlighting the team’s consistency at the highest level. Erasmus will lead a 15-member squad that blends experience with emerging talent as the Eagles aim to improve on past performances.
The squad includes Gerhard Erasmus (captain), Zane Green, Bernard Scholtz, Ruben Trumpelmann, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Louren Steenkamp, Malan Kruger, Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Jack Brassell, Ben Shikongo, JC Balt, Dylan Leicher, WP Myburgh and Max Heingo, with Alexander Volschenk named as the travelling reserve.
Namibia secured qualification for the tournament following an impressive campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Africa Qualifier in Harare, where they topped Group A unbeaten before recording a commanding semi-final victory over Tanzania. In that match, half-centuries from JJ Smit and Erasmus guided Namibia to 174 for six, before the bowlers took control, with Smit and Ben Shikongo sharing six wickets to restrict Tanzania to 111 for eight in a 63-run win.
The qualifying campaign produced several encouraging performances, notably from Nicol Loftie-Eaton, who was named Bowler of the Tournament after taking 10 wickets at an average of 6.40 and an economy rate of 4.92. Louren Steenkamp also impressed with the bat, including a brisk 40 off 27 balls in the final, while Erasmus provided stability with 38 runs, reflecting the team’s growing balance ahead of the global event.
Namibia will be looking to improve on their most recent T20 World Cup outing, where they recorded one win against Oman via a Super Over. Continuity remains a key feature of the current squad, with nine players retained from the 2024 edition, while Loftie-Eaton, Steenkamp, JC Balt, WP Myburgh and Max Heingo add fresh depth as the team seeks to surpass its best-ever World Cup finish of reaching the Super 12 stage in 2021.
At the tournament, Namibia have been drawn in Group A alongside India, Pakistan, the Netherlands and the United States. Their group matches are scheduled against the Netherlands on the 10th of February in Delhi, India on the 12th of February in Delhi, the USA on the 15th of February in Chennai, and Pakistan on the 18th of February in Colombo.
Source: ICC Cricket
