WINDHOEK, Namibia: Namibia celebrated a landmark moment in international cricket on Sunday, defeating Ireland by five wickets in the fifth and final ODI to secure a historic 3-2 bilateral series victory, their first-ever series win against an ICC Full Member nation.
Fast bowlers JJ Smit and Jack Brassell spearheaded Namibia’s remarkable triumph, dismantling Ireland’s batting line-up for just 129 in 33.4 overs before the hosts comfortably chased down the target in 21.2 overs.
An historic first for Namibia in their ODI series win against Ireland 💥
https://t.co/QRO0vgi2z5
— ICC (@ICC) November 2, 2026
Smit produced an outstanding spell of 4-20, while Brassell claimed 3-15 to leave Ireland struggling against Namibia’s disciplined pace attack.
Louren Steenkamp top-scored with 46, while captain Gerhard Erasmus struck a rapid 30 to guide the hosts towards their historic victory.
Smit, Brassell dismantle Ireland’s batting line-up
Namibia made an impressive start with the ball, exploiting favourable conditions for fast bowling to put Ireland under pressure from the opening overs.
Ruben Trumpelmann provided the early breakthrough, dismissing Tim Tector for five in the second over. Ireland managed just 25-1 during the first 10 overs before Max Heingo removed Andrew Balbirnie for nine.
Cade Carmichael and Harry Tector attempted to stabilise the innings, but their efforts were interrupted when Brassell bowled Carmichael for 27.
Lorcan Tucker briefly counterattacked with two sixes in his 20 off 14 balls. However, Smit triggered a dramatic collapse in the 23rd over, dismissing Tucker caught and bowled before trapping Curtis Campher and George Dockrell lbw within four deliveries.
Ireland slumped from 84-3 to 84-6 as Smit completed a three-wicket maiden.
Jordan Neill offered some resistance with an aggressive 33 off 25 deliveries, including four fours and a six. He added 28 runs with Gavin Hoey before Brassell dismissed him lbw.
Smit subsequently removed Hoey to complete his four-wicket haul, while Brassell dismissed Jai Moondra to end Ireland’s innings in the 34th over.
Ireland lost their final seven wickets for just 45 runs, leaving Namibia with a modest target of 130.
A standout effort from the bowlers is at the forefront as Namibia clinch the ODI series 3-2 against Ireland 👊
📝: https://t.co/2mtDdqzExi | 📸: @CricketNamibia1 https://t.co/EbBYqso6dt
— ICC (@ICC) November 1, 2026
Steenkamp and Erasmus lead successful chase
Namibia began their reply positively, with Steenkamp finding regular boundaries to put the hosts in control.
Michael van Lingen contributed 15 before falling to Moondra, while Steenkamp continued his aggressive approach to take Namibia beyond 50.
Jan Frylinck added two boundaries before Matthew Humphreys bowled him with a sharply turning delivery.
Steenkamp was subsequently run out on 46, narrowly missing a half-century as Ireland attempted to revive their hopes.
Namibia power past Ireland to take 2-1 series lead in the ODI series after a dominant all-round display 👊
📝: https://t.co/d8vHNzGt3i https://t.co/YsEQ06p4m6
— ICC (@ICC) October 27, 2026
However, Erasmus took charge of the chase, striking a four and a six off Gavin Hoey to push Namibia past the 100-run mark in the 17th over.
The Namibia captain continued his attacking approach with two more boundaries before Humphreys dismissed him for a brisk 30 off 18 deliveries.
Malan Kruger departed shortly afterwards, handing a return catch to Hoey, with Namibia needing only nine more runs.
Zane Green ensured there were no further setbacks, sealing the five-wicket victory with a six in the 22nd over.
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The result marked a historic achievement for Namibia, whose maiden bilateral ODI series triumph against a full-member nation underlined their growing competitiveness and progress on the international cricket stage.
