Trent Johnston claimed two vital late wickets on Saturday

Ireland kept alive their hopes of retaining the Intercontinental Cup by claiming a remarkable eight-run victory over Namibia in Windhoek on Saturday.

An astonishing first day's action saw 25 wickets falling with Ireland's 69 all-out followed by Namibia's reply of 119 before the Irish slid to 77-5.

Trent Johnston and Regan West hit vital late runs as Ireland were 164 all out.

Namibia needed only 115 runs to end Irish hopes but Boyd Rankin's figures of 5-39 helped the visitors triumph.

Three Rankin wickets had Namibia in trouble at 64-6 and two dismissals by ex-Irish captain Trent Johnston put the home side on the brink of defeat at 99-9.

Rankin then took his seventh wicket of the match to ensure Ireland's victory with Kyle McCallan taking a superb running catch at third man to dismiss Kola Burger and end the scheduled four-day game in two days.

Namibia are still guaranteed a place in the final despite their defeat.

The Irish face Kenya in Nairobi next week with the winners going on to face Namibia in the decider.

Namibia: Louis Burger (captain), JB Burger, Deon Kotze, Sarel Burger, Gerrie Snyman, Bjorn Kotze, Craig Williams, Tobias Verwey, Nicholaas Scholtz, Kola Burger, Louis Klazinga, Louis van der Westhuizen, Wilbur Slabber.

Ireland: William Porterfield (captain), Andre Botha, Peter Connell, Alex Cusack, Phil Eaglestone, Trent Johnston, Kyle McCallan, John Mooney, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, Andrew Poynter, Boyd Rankin, Regan West, Andrew White, Gary Wilson.

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