GEELONG: Bas de Leede’s inspirational knock steered the Netherlands to a thrilling five-wicket win over Namibia in a low-scoring game of the ICC T20 World Cup on Tuesday.
The Netherlands have strengthened their chances to qualify for the Super 12 as they secured their second win of the first round.
Set to chase a paltry target of 122, Netherlands’ batting jittered in the middle as they lost four quick wickets after sailing comfortably to 92/1 in 13.4 overs.
Opener Vikramjit Singh and Max O’Dowd raised a solid foundation for the Netherlands’ chase as they built a valiant 59-run partnership before the former fell prey to Bernard Scholtz in the ninth over.
Namibian all-rounder JJ Smit wreaked havoc in the 15th over with two back-to-back wickets before Jan Frylinck took another scalp in the next over as he dismissed skipper Scott Edwards to set the alarm bells off for the Dutch side.
Tim Pringle then joined de Leede on the crease when the Netherlands required just 20 runs and the two ensured that they took their side home.
De Leede was awarded player of the match for his crucial knock of 30-ball 30. Meanwhile Vikramjit top-scored for the side with 39 off 31 laced with three fours and two sixes
Earlier, Frylinck put up brave resistance to avert the complete batting collapse as his defiant knock steered Namibia to a fighting total of 121/6.
Frylinck played a cautious knock of 48-ball 43 and battled the furious attack by the Dutch bowlers who forced Namibia into crisis in the first six overs as they took three early wickets on a paltry total of 32.
The Netherlands bowled on tight lines and length and a combined effort led to the eventual degradation of the Namibian batting line.
Bas de Leede led the charge for the Dutch side as he returned figures of 2/18 in his three overs, while Tim Pringle, Colin Ackermann, Paul van Meekeren and Roelof van der Merwe took a scalp each.
For Namibia, opener Michael van Lingen scored 20 off 19 while no 3 batter Stephan Baard contributed with 19 off 20.
David Wiese played a late cameo of unbeaten 11 runs off five deliveries including a boundary after skipper Gerhard Erasmus (16 off 18)went back to the pavilion in the 19th over.
