T20 World Cup: Netherlands keeps Super 8 hopes alive with win over Namibia
Bas de Leede’s assured 72 not out guided the Netherlands to a confident seven-wicket win over Namibia in its Group A match on Tuesday, keeping its Super 8 hopes alive.
The Dutch first produced a disciplined, low-error bowling effort to restrict Namibia to 156 for 8 on a wicket that offered enough for the bowlers without being treacherous. Logan van Beek set the tone with a sharp new-ball spell (2/13), while off-spinner Aryan Dutt (1/13) squeezed the scoring with a probing four-over burst that left Namibia searching for momentum.
Dutt struck early when he lured Nikolaas Davin Steenkamp down the track and Scott Edwards completed a neat stumping. Namibia crawled through the PowerPlay, managing only 29 runs in the first five overs, before Jan Frylinck (30) and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (42) began the repair work with a steady 50-run stand.
Loftie-Eaton and Frylinck briefly broke the shackles, taking on Colin Ackermann’s off-spin, but van Beek returned to break the partnership, inducing an edge from Frylinck. Gerhard Erasmus then provided the spark Namibia needed, striking a lively over off Tim van der Gugten to lift his side past 100, but the Netherlands never allowed the innings to run away. Edwards rotated his attack smartly, using eight bowling options to keep the pressure constant.
Van Beek removed the set Loftie-Eaton, and while JJ Smit’s late blows threatened a flourish, De Leede ended the cameo as Namibia settled for a total that felt modest.
In reply, the Netherlands was rarely troubled. After losing Max O’Dowd early, Mochale Levitt’s brisk 28 gave it early momentum before Ackermann (32) and De Leede took control. De Leede anchored the chase with calm authority, striking nine boundaries including four sixes, as Edwards finished the job and the Dutch reached 159 for 3 in 18 overs.
The Netherlands next play the USA in Chennai on Friday, while Namibia faces host India on Thursday.
Published on Feb 10, 2026
