2 min read
The Netherlands secured their first victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, defeating Namibia by seven wickets at Arun Jaitley Stadium, with Bas de Leede leading the chase brilliantly.
Chasing 157 runs set by Namibia, the Netherlands finished at 159 for three in 18 overs, with de Leede top-scoring with an unbeaten 72 off 48 balls, including four fours and four sixes.
Opener Michael Levitt played a crucial supporting innings of 28 off 15 balls, striking one four and three sixes, while Colin Ackermann contributed 32 off 28 deliveries in the middle order.
Skipper Scott Edwards remained unbeaten on 18 from nine balls, hitting a four and a six, as the Netherlands reached the target comfortably with overs to spare in the high-pressure encounter.
Namibia’s innings began poorly after spinner Aryan Dutt removed Louren Steenkamp for six runs, leaving the top order exposed and forcing the team to rely on middle-order stability.
Jan Frylinck and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership for the second wicket before Frylinck fell to Logan van Beek for 30 off 26 deliveries.
Loftie-Eaton anchored the innings alongside skipper Gerhard Erasmus, adding 35 runs, but Erasmus was dismissed for 18 off nine balls by Bas de Leede, leaving Namibia struggling at 107 for four in 14.3 overs.
JJ Smit hit a quick 22 off 15 balls, including two sixes, before falling to de Leede, while Fred Klaassen scored nine runs off 10 deliveries as Namibia slipped to 137 for six.
Bas de Leede and Logan van Beek took two wickets each for the Netherlands, supported by Aryan Dutt and Fred Klaassen claiming one wicket apiece, securing a comfortable victory over Namibia.
