New Delhi, February 16: As Namibia gears up for their final T20 World Cup 2026 group stage match against Pakistan on February 18, the team has made a crucial squad change. Alex Wolstenholme has been brought in to replace the injured Ben Shikongo, bolstering their lineup for this do-or-die encounter.
Shikongo suffered a right thigh injury during Namibia’s match against India on February 12, forcing him out of the tournament. The ICC’s Event Technical Committee promptly approved Wolstenholme’s inclusion, adhering to protocols that require such approvals for replacements.
Namibia, competing in Group A, has struggled so far. They lost their opener to Netherlands by 7 wickets, followed by a crushing 93-run defeat to India, and then fell to USA by 31 runs. With three losses, their title hopes are dashed, but they’ll aim to end on a high against Pakistan.
In a parallel development, Scotland has also shuffled their squad. Seam bowler Safyaan Sharif injured his right groin during training on February 12, paving the way for Jack Jarvis to step in. Jarvis, who has played 8 T20Is for Scotland, was already with the team as a traveling reserve.
Scotland sits third in Group C with one win from three matches. They lost to West Indies by 35 runs initially, bounced back with a 73-run victory over Italy, but stumbled against England by 5 wickets. A win in their remaining games could still propel them to the Super 8 stage.
These last-minute changes underscore the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where injuries can reshape campaigns in an instant. Fans will watch closely as both teams adapt to their new rosters in the high-stakes World Cup atmosphere.