Khan ton inspires Namibia’s triumph over CSA Women’s Emerging Academy

Yasmeen Khan continued her scintillating form with the bat, scoring an unbeaten century to guide Namibia to a 100-run win over the CSA Women’s Emerging Academy in the first 50-over match of the series at the High Performance Oval in Windhoek.

The result gives the Capricorn Eagles a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Khan dispatched an impressive 15 fours and five sixes en route to 145* off 134 deliveries, well supported by captain Suné Wittmann’s 95-ball 68 (3 fours, 5 sixes) as the home side posted a commanding 274-5.

Seamer Mekelaye Mwatile (3-28) led the charge with the ball to help bowl out the Emerging Academy side for 174 in 40.5 overs.

🚨 MATCH RESULTS 🚨

A tough start for our SA Women’s Emerging side in the first 50-over clash against Namibia 🇿🇦🇳🇦

Namibia posted a strong 274/5, and despite some promising moments in the chase, we were bowled out for 174 in 40.5 overs, falling short by 100 runs.

Plenty to… pic.twitter.com/m8N6ese0wH

— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) July 8, 2025

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, the Capricorn Eagles were rocked by the early departure of opener Kayleen Green (0) off the bowling of Caitlyn Wyngaard (3-43) in the second over of the match.

That proved to be a momentary setback for the Namibian side as Wittmann teamed up with Khan for an outstanding 171-run partnership for the second wicket.

That stand saw both batters celebrate their half-centuries, with Khan marching towards triple figures before Wyngaard picked up her second scalp of the morning to see the back of Wittmann, leaving the hosts 172-2 in the 31st over.

One wicket quickly brought another as Alexandra Candler (2-42) had new batter Mezerly Gorases caught cheaply for five.

Despite losing her partners at the other end, Khan continued to dominate proceedings, forming a 68-run stand with Edelle van Zyl (34), which also saw her raise her bat for a 99-ball hundred.

Although van Zyl became Wyngaard’s third wicket of the contest, Khan added another 21 runs with M Mwatile (5), who was dismissed by Candler, before Namibia eventually ended their innings on 274-5.

UPHILL BATTLE

Tasked with an uphill battle in pursuit of 275 for victory, the Emerging Academy openers, Nicole de Klerk (43) and Candler (42), made a bright start to the chase.

The pair put on a 78-run partnership before De Klerk was the first wicket to fall in the 18th over off Saima Tuhadeleni (1/24).

With a platform set for the chase, the South African side struggled to kick on at the crease as the Namibian bowlers picked up wickets at regular intervals.

Shortly after crossing the 100-run mark, the visitors lost their other in-batter, with Candler clean bowled by M Mwatile.

That scalp was soon followed by a double strike for the home side, with Gandhi Jafta (26) and Eliz-Mari Marx (0) departing through Wilka Mwatile (2-33) and a run out, respectively, to reduce the Emerging Academy to 120-4 after 29 overs.

The fall of wickets continued as Namibia applied the pressure.

Delmi Tucker (17) was run out, and further wickets to M Mwatile and Sylvia Shihepo (2-35) saw Luyanda Nzuza (0) and Verunissa Reddy (2) depart, leaving the visitors reeling at 138-7.

Despite a valiant stand worth 32 runs between Jenna Evans (19) and skipper Leah Jones (14) for the eighth wicket, it was ultimately in vain as two more wickets for M Mwatile and another scalp for Shihepo concluded the visitors’ innings on 174 all out with 9.1 overs to spare.

The second one-dayer will take place on Thursday, 10 July at the High Performance Oval from 10am SAST.