In a commanding display of skill and composure, the Netherlands secured their first victory of the T20 World Cup, defeating Namibia by seven wickets in a Group A match held on Tuesday in New Delhi. Bas de Leede was the star of the show, smashing an unbeaten 72 off 48 deliveries to guide his team to a successful chase of 157 with two overs to spare.
Namibia, after winning the toss, managed to put up 156 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Only four of their batsmen reached double figures, with Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton top-scoring with 42. Jan Frylinck contributed a steady 30, while JJ Smit added a quickfire 22 towards the end of the innings. The Namibian innings was characterized by a recovery in the middle overs, but they couldn't quite achieve the late flourish they desired, settling for a modest total on a pitch that offered something for both batsmen and bowlers. Logan van Beek was the pick of the Dutch bowlers, bagging 2 wickets for just 13 runs in his three overs. De Leede also contributed with the ball, taking 2 wickets for 20 runs.
The Netherlands' chase was anchored by de Leede's brilliant innings, which included five fours and four sixes. He combined with Colin Ackermann (32) for a crucial 70-run partnership that put the Dutch firmly on course for victory. Scott Edwards, the captain, remained unbeaten on 18, providing valuable support to de Leede as they completed the chase. De Leede sealed the victory with a boundary, capping off a memorable all-round performance.
De Leede was named the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance. Reflecting on the win, he acknowledged the advantage of bowling first, which allowed them to assess the conditions and adjust their plans accordingly. Edwards lauded de Leede's "sensational" effort, emphasizing the importance of bouncing back after their narrow defeat to Pakistan in their opening match. This win propels the Netherlands into the top three of Group A, with two points from their first two matches.
The Netherlands will next face the USA in Chennai on Friday, while Namibia will face India at the same venue on Thursday.