The underdog story of Namibia has come to a dramatic end at the Twenty20 World Cup, falling to fellow associate nation UAE in a seven-run thriller.

Namibia, which upset Test nation Sri Lanka in their opening game, needed to beat UAE to secure its spot in the tournament’s Super 12 stage.

But chasing UAE’s 3-148, Namibia was left to rue a slow start under lights at Geelong’s Kardinia Park on Thursday night and finished on 8-141.

Not even the highest eighth-wicket partnership in the history of the T20 World Cup – 70 runs between David Wiese and Ruben Trumpelmann – could get Namibia over the line.

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The experienced Wiese compiled a nerveless 55 but was caught on the boundary at long-on to end Namibia’s hopes.

UAE all-rounder Basil Hameed backed up a crucial unbeaten 25 to open the bowling and claim figures of 2-17 to set-up his team’s first T20 World Cup win and crush Namibia’s chances.

After winning their first game, Namibia miss out on qualifying for the next round of the tournament and the Netherlands move through.

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Namibia suffered a five-wicket loss to the Netherlands on Tuesday after its stunning triumph over Sri Lanka, but a win over UAE would have allowed it to progress and end the tournament of the Dutch team.

UAE opener Muhammad Waseem made an explosive start to the match as he smashed 50 from 41 balls, including three giant sixes.

Waseem and captain Chundangapoyil Rizwan (43 not out) helped power UAE to its biggest total of the tournament.

Veteran quick Zahoor Khan backed up Hameed’s opening spell with a ferocious cameo of 2-20 to further dent Namibia’s chances, with Wiese’s heroics proving not quite enough.

-AAP