Namibia scripts history with maiden bilateral ODI series win; stuns Ireland 3-2

Windhoek Namibia created history on Sunday (November 1, 2026) by securing their first-ever bilateral ODI series victory against a Full Member nation, defeating Ireland by five wickets in the series decider in Windhoek. The victory handed Namibia a 3-2 triumph in the five-match ODI series on home soil, providing a significant boost to their preparations for next year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, which they will co-host alongside South Africa and Zimbabwe. Pace bowlers J.J. Smith and Jack Brassell led Namibia's bowling charge, sharing seven wickets between them to bowl Ireland out for just 129. In response, opener Louren Steenkamp anchored the chase with a valuable 42, while captain Gerhard Erasmus contributed 30 to guide the hosts to a comfortable five-wicket victory. Erasmus was named Player of the Series after an impressive all-round campaign in which he accumulated 263 runs and claimed four wickets across the five matches.