Netherlands have found themselves in a strong position to grab a Super 12 berth in Group A of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 after they handed Namibia a five-wicket defeat after a stellar show by their top order chasing a modest 121/6. After their second successive win – the Dutch beat the UAE by three wickets in their opening Group match – Netherlands are at the top of the group.
It was down to the final over with the Netherlands requiring six runs to win, as all-rounder Bas de Leede ensured he did enough to clinch the Player-of-the-Match award by seeing his side home with only three balls remaining.
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It was an excellent team performance from the Dutch, with skipper Scott Edwards using his bowlers well to restrict Namibia to just 121/6 in what was a good batting pitch at Kardinia Park. Netherlands used seven bowlers, with de Leede (2/18) the only bowler to pick up more than a wicket for the victors.
Openers Vikramjit Singh (39) and Max O’Dowd (35) took the Netherlands off to a good start and the target was always within reach, with de Leede’s unbeaten 30 enough to overcome a late struggle. Jan Frylinck (43) top-scored for Namibia, but the left-hander wasted deliveries during the middle overs as the Netherlands’ bowlers set the rules.
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David Wiese (11 not out) and JJ Smit (5 not out), two of Namibia’s dangermen, enjoyed only a brief time in the middle at the death of the innings. The duo took 12 from Timm van der Gugten’s final over to put a bit of decency in their score, but it was too late.
Despite the loss, Namibia can still make it to the Super 12 if they win their final match against the UAE.
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Brief Scores
Namibia 121/6 (Jan Frylinck 43; Bas de Leede 2/18)
Netherlands 122/5 (Max O’Dowd 35, Vikramjit Singh 39, Bas de Leede 30*)
