The Namibia T20I Tri-Series 2026 is set to light up Windhoek from June 18 to June 23, bringing together three of cricket’s most competitive associate nations, hosts Namibia, Hong Kong China, and Nigeria.
Featuring six ICC T20I ranking points matches played across six consecutive days, this tri-series is a landmark event for associate cricket: it marks the maiden international tour to Namibia for both Nigeria and Hong Kong China, and the first-ever T20I meeting between Namibia and Hong Kong China.
With Africa’s newest purpose-built cricket stadium as the backdrop, this is one tournament you do not want to miss.
Namibia T20I Tri-Series 2026: Key Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Namibia T20I Tri-Series 2026 |
| Format | T20 International (with ICC ranking points) |
| Dates | June 18 – June 23, 2026 |
| Venue | FNB Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek |
| Teams | Namibia, Hong Kong China, Nigeria |
| Total Matches | 6 (double round-robin) |
Namibia T20I Tri-Series 2026 Full Schedule
All six matches are played at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek. Match start times are 5:30 PM IST / 12:00 PM GMT / 2:00 PM Local.
| Match | Date | Teams | Start Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | Thursday, June 18 | Hong Kong China vs Nigeria | 5:30 PM |
| Match 2 | Friday, June 19 | Namibia vs Hong Kong China | 5:30 PM |
| Match 3 | Saturday, June 20 | Namibia vs Nigeria | 5:30 PM |
| Match 4 | Sunday, June 21 | Hong Kong China vs Nigeria | 5:30 PM |
| Match 5 | Monday, June 22 | Namibia vs Hong Kong China | 5:30 PM |
| Match 6 | Tuesday, June 23 | Namibia vs Nigeria | 5:30 PM |
Each pair of teams faces each other twice in a double round-robin format, with the standings determining the series winner at the end of Match 6.
Teams in the Namibia T20I Tri-Series 2026
Namibia
The hosts enter the series as the strongest side on paper and will rely on their excellent home record at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground.
Led by Gerhard Erasmus, Namibia recently secured qualification for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with an unbeaten run in the Africa Regional Qualifier. Key players include JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Bernard Scholtz, and Ruben Trumpelmann.
Namibia Squad (T20 World Cup 2026 squad for reference):
- Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Jan Frylinck, Bernard Scholtz, Ruben Trumpelmann, Malan Kruger, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Louren Steenkamp, Jack Brassell, Ben Shikongo, JC Balt, Dylan Leicher, WP Myburgh, Max Heingo
Hong Kong China
Hong Kong China make their first-ever tour of Namibia and will face the hosts in T20Is for the first time. The series is an important part of their preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League, giving the team valuable overseas experience.
Hong Kong China Squad (50-over squad for this tour):
- Yasim Murtaza, Babar Hayat, Aizaz Khan, Anshuman Rath, Asad Rasheed, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan, Ghazanfar Mohammad, Hafeez Khan, Hassan Khan, Mohammad Waheed, Nasrulla Rana, Shiv Mathur, Zeeshan Ali
Nigeria
Nigeria, captained by Sulaimon Runsewe, arrive with a balanced squad featuring experienced players and emerging talent. The return of Chima Akachukwu and Miracle Akhigbe strengthens the side, while the arrival of new Head Coach Stephen Magongo adds an extra layer of interest to their campaign.
Nigeria T20I Squad:
- Sulaimon Runsewe (c), Vincent Adewoye, Peter Aho, Miracle Akhigbe, Chima Akachukwu, Rahmon Ali, David Ankrah, Kenneth Boniface, Isaac Danladi, Solomon Chilemanya, Abdullahi Ismail, Taiwo Mohammed, Elijah Olaleye, Isaac Okpe, Sylvester Okpe, Selim Salau
FNB Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek Venue
The Namibia T20I Tri-Series 2026 will be staged entirely at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground, one of the newest and most impressive associate cricket venues in the world.
| Venue Details | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | FNB Namibia Cricket Ground |
| Location | Windhoek, Namibia (southern end of the capital) |
| Capacity | 7,000–7,500 |
| Opened | October 2025 |
| Inauguration Match | Namibia vs South Africa, October 11, 2025 (T20I) |
| Facilities | High Performance Centre, indoor centre, gym, restaurant, corporate lounges |
| World Cup Role | Co-host venue for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 and ICC U19 Men’s World Cup 2026 |
The ground was completed in October 2025 after construction began in 2021, and its very first international match, a Namibia vs South Africa T20I, sold out completely.
It sits adjacent to the Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek’s main rugby venue, and features facilities that rival venues in Full Member nations. With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, this stadium is rapidly becoming the flagship cricket venue on the African continent.
Tickets for the Namibia T20I Tri-Series 2026
Official ticketing for the Namibia T20I Tri-Series 2026 is handled through Cricket Namibia. Fans in Windhoek and across Namibia are advised to:
- Check official channels: Follow Cricket Namibia on their official social media platforms and website for ticket announcements and purchase links.
- Buy early: The inaugural match at this stadium sold out in its entirety — expect strong demand, especially for Namibia’s home matches.
- FanCode: International fans can stream live coverage via FanCode, which holds streaming rights for Men’s T20I matches in Namibia.
- On-site gates: Gates typically open well before match time; the 2:00 PM local start means an early afternoon arrival is recommended.
Live Streaming & Broadcast: Namibia T20I Tri-Series 2026
- FanCode (India & international): Live streaming of all six T20I matches
- Cricbuzz & ESPNcricinfo: Live scores, ball-by-ball commentary, and match updates
- Local broadcast arrangements in Nigeria and Hong Kong China to be confirmed by respective cricket boards
Past Winners: Namibia T20I Tri-Series History
Namibia has hosted multiple T20I tri-series in recent years, establishing a strong home record. Here is a look at previous editions:
| Year | Teams | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Namibia, USA, Jersey | Namibia (4W, 0L) |
| 2024 | Namibia, UAE, USA | UAE (series winner; Namibia had strong side) |
The 2022 edition was particularly dominant, Namibia won all four of their matches, with Ruben Trumpelmann taking 8 wickets as top wicket-taker. The FNB Namibia Cricket Ground now gives the hosts an even stronger home advantage with a proper international-standard venue to play in.
Why This Tri-Series Matters: The Bigger Picture
The Namibia T20I Tri-Series 2026 carries significance well beyond the six matches on the schedule:
- ICC Ranking Points at stake: All six matches count toward ICC Men’s T20I team rankings, making every game crucial for all three nations.
- Historic firsts: Both Nigeria and Hong Kong China are touring Namibia for the first time, and Namibia vs Hong Kong China will be a brand-new T20I rivalry kicking off from scratch.
- World Cup 2027 momentum: Namibia are a co-host of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup alongside South Africa and Zimbabwe. Building competitive depth and filling the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground with fans is a key part of that preparation.
- Emerging nation development: For Nigeria and Hong Kong China, the tour forms part of preparation pathways toward World Cup qualifiers — results here carry real long-term weight.
- Back-to-back action: The T20I tri-series runs consecutively with a 50-over series also involving all three nations, giving players and teams continuous competitive exposure in challenging southern African conditions.
Namibia T20I Tri-Series 2026: Players to Watch
- Gerhard Erasmus (Namibia) – Captain, all-rounder, and ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year 2024. The heartbeat of Namibia cricket.
- JJ Smit (Namibia) – 67 T20I wickets and 1,251 runs across 67 T20Is. A genuine match-winner in any condition.
- Ruben Trumpelmann (Namibia) – Left-arm seamer with a devastating new-ball record in T20Is. Opposition openers will be wary.
- Babar Hayat (Hong Kong China) – One of Hong Kong’s most experienced and dangerous batters. A key man in any chase or total-building innings.
- Anshuman Rath (Hong Kong China) – Technically sound and capable of anchoring an innings under pressure.
- Sulaimon Runsewe (Nigeria) – Captain who leads from the front and will be eager to make a statement on his first tour to Namibia.
The Namibia T20I Tri-Series 2026 is more than a six-match tournament, it is a statement of intent from associate cricket. With a world-class new venue, ranking points on the line, and three nations making history together, this series promises quality cricket against a compelling backdrop. All eyes are on Windhoek from June 18.
FAQs
The tournament begins on June 18, 2026, with the match between Hong Kong China and Nigeria.
All six matches are at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek, Namibia.
There are six T20I matches in a double round-robin format, each pair of teams meets twice.
Namibia (hosts), Hong Kong China, and Nigeria.
FanCode offers live streaming for international audiences, while Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo provide live ball-by-ball coverage.
Yes — all six matches carry official ICC Men’s T20I team ranking points.
