Two of international cricket’s most exciting emerging forces collide in what promises to be one of the most evenly matched contests of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The USA and Namibia square off in the 26th match on Sunday, February 15, at Chennai’s spin-friendly MA Chidambaram Stadium in a Group A encounter that could define both nations’ tournament trajectories.
With Namibia holding a narrow 3-2 edge in their head-to-head T20I rivalry, captain Monank Patel’s American squad is hungry to level the score on cricket’s grandest stage. The legendary Chepauk pitch, notorious for its slow, turning surface that increasingly assists spinners as evening approaches, adds a tactical chess match to this already compelling fixture.
Evening dew and the 3:00 PM local start time mean the toss could prove decisive, with both teams boasting quality spin arsenals perfectly suited to Chennai’s challenging conditions. In a group stage filled with predictable outcomes, this genuinely balanced contest between two associate nations on the rise promises unpredictability and drama.
USA vs Namibia Match Details & Timing
USA vs Namibia 26th Match Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | USA vs NAM, 26th Match, Group A |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date | Sunday, February 15, 2026 |
| Time | 3:00 PM LOCAL IST |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
USA vs Namibia Latest Betting Odds
This represents one of the tournament’s most competitively priced fixtures, with bookmakers acknowledging the genuine uncertainty surrounding the outcome. Namibia’s superior head-to-head record provides them marginal favoritism.
| Platform | USA Win Odds | Namibia Win Odds | Toss Odds (USA) | Toss Odds (Namibia) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 2.05 | 1.78 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Stake | 2.1 | 1.75 | 1.91 | 1.89 |
| 4RABET | 2.08 | 1.76 | 1.88 | 1.92 |
| BetVibe | 2.07 | 1.77 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
USA vs Namibia Squad Lists & Team Composition
Both associate cricket powerhouses have selected their 15-player squads for this crucial Group A showdown.
USA Squad
Monank Patel (c & wk), Jessy Singh, Andries Gous (wk), Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane
Namibia Squad
Gerhard Erasmus (c), Zane Green (wk), 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, Max Heingo. Reserve: Alexander Volschenk
MA Chidambaram Stadium Pitch Report & Analysis
Chennai’s iconic Chepauk venue is celebrated for producing spin-friendly surfaces that challenge batting lineups and reward quality slow bowling.
Pitch Report of MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | The surface characteristically plays dry and slow, with deterioration creating fissures that progressively enhance spin assistance as matches unfold. |
| Batting Assistance | Opening batsmen can play aggressive strokes during the powerplay phase. However, as the wicket loses pace, shot timing and negotiating spin become significantly more challenging. |
| Bowling Assistance | Spin bowlers receive substantial support throughout proceedings, particularly during middle and death overs with increased turn. Fast bowlers may extract marginal movement with the new ball initially. |
| Boundaries Dimensions | Square boundaries measure approximately 65 metres, with straight hits requiring roughly 68 metres to clear the rope. |
| Average 1st Innings Score | Teams batting second typically chase targets around 152 runs in T20 Internationals at this venue, a total frequently defendable. |
| Toss Impact & Dew | Captains winning the toss predominantly elect to bowl first, capitalizing on evening dew that complicates ball grip for spin bowlers. |
USA vs Namibia Weather Forecast
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Pleasant conditions at 29°C ideal for an afternoon commencement. |
| Weather | Bright sunshine with cloudless skies anticipated throughout the fixture. |
| Precipitation | Minimal rain threat with only 10% probability. |
| Humidity | Elevated humidity at 64%, typical of Chennai’s climate, creating slightly sticky conditions. |
| Wind | Steady breeze expected around 14 km/h. |
USA vs Namibia Head-to-Head T20I Record
The rivalry between these ascending cricket nations has produced remarkably competitive contests, with Namibia holding a slender advantage in their limited encounters.
USA and Namibia Head-to-Head in T20Is
Source: Outlook India
| Total Matches Played | 5 |
| Namibia Won | 3 |
| USA Won | 2 |
USA vs Namibia Key Players & Potential Match-Winners
The outcome may hinge on how effectively spin bowlers from both squads exploit Chepauk’s challenging conditions.
Key Players to Watch
| Players | T20I Stats |
|---|---|
| Andries Gous (USA) | Reliable wicketkeeper-batsman with 770 runs across 27 T20I matches, averaging 30.80. |
| Shubham Ranjane (USA) | Emerging talent with 88 runs in 2 matches at a strike rate of 44. |
| Nosthush Kenjige (USA) | Key spin option with 21 wickets in 23 matches, maintaining an economy of 7.55. |
| Gerhard Erasmus (NAM) | Captain and experienced batsman with 1,869 runs in 79 matches at an average of 31.67. |
| JJ Smit (NAM) | Dynamic all-rounder contributing 1,211 runs and 67 wickets across 69 T20I appearances. |
| Bernard Scholtz (NAM) | Specialist spinner with 81 wickets in 78 matches at an economical rate of 6.26. |
Suggested Reads:
USA vs Namibia Live Streaming & TV Broadcasting Guide
Cricket enthusiasts worldwide can watch this evenly matched Group A contest through these official broadcast partners and streaming platforms:
| Region | TV Broadcaster | Streaming Platform |
|---|---|---|
| India | Star Sports | JioHotstar |
| Nepal | Kantipur TV, Nepal Television | ICC.tv |
| Italy | — | ICC.tv |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Ten Sports, ASports | Myco, Tapmad, Tamasha |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports | Sky Go, NOW |
| USA & Canada | Willow TV | Willow by Cricbuzz |
| Australia | Fox Cricket, Nine Network | Amazon Prime Video, Kayo |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport NZ | Sky Go, TVNZ+ |
| South Africa | SuperSport | SuperSport App, DStv |
| Sri Lanka | TV Supreme, Dialog TV | ICC.tv, Sirasa TV |
| Rest of World | Varies by country | ICC.tv |
