Sports Correspondent|Innocent Kaia lit up Windhoek with a blistering knock as Zimbabwe kept their T20I Tri-Series final hopes alive with a clinical 5-wicket win over Namibia.

Chasing 157 for victory, the Chevrons got home with 11 balls left, but their place in the final is still out of their hands. They now need South Africa to beat Namibia in the last round-robin game to progress.

Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to field first. That decision was tested when Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus hammered 88 from just 48 deliveries. Apart from Erasmus, only Alexander Busing-Volschenk offered resistance with 29, as Namibia closed on 156/5.

The target never looked daunting thanks to Kaia. The opener smashed 72 off 42 balls and set the tone early. He put on 50 with Brian Bennett to give Zimbabwe momentum, then added another big stand with Sikandar Raza to steer the chase home comfortably.

Kaia’s innings earned him player-of-the-match honours and gave Zimbabwe their much-needed win in the final group game.

Zimbabwe’s tournament isn’t over yet, but it’s no longer in their control. If South Africa beat Namibia in the last match, the Chevrons will book their spot in the final.