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- Netherlands vs Namibia highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Bas de Leede shines as Netherlands beat Namibia by 7 wickets
Netherlands vs Namibia highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Bas de Leede shines as Netherlands beat Namibia by 7 wickets
Schedule | Points Table
Put in to bat, Namibia posted a competitive 156 for eight from their 20 overs, built around a measured innings from Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton and valuable cameos through the middle. Namibia began cautiously and lost Louren Steenkamp early, but Loftie-Eaton steadied the innings with a patient 42 off 38 balls, mixing placement with timely boundaries. Jan Frylinck supported him with a brisk 30 from 26 deliveries as Namibia reached 60 for two at the halfway stage.
Skipper Gerhard Erasmus briefly lifted the tempo, smashing 18 off just nine balls, while JJ Smit added impetus late with a 22-run cameo off 15 balls. However, Namibia struggled to fully capitalise at the death, losing wickets at regular intervals. Logan van Beek and Bas de Leede were the standout bowlers for the Netherlands, picking up two wickets each and keeping a tight leash during key phases, as Namibia finished slightly below par on a surface that eased under lights.
In reply, the Netherlands made light work of the chase, reaching 159 for three in just 18 overs. Opener Michael Levitt set the tone with an aggressive 28 off 15 balls, including three sixes, before falling in the powerplay. After Max O’Dowd’s early dismissal, Bas de Leede took control of the innings with a composed yet authoritative knock.
De Leede anchored the chase with an unbeaten 72 off 48 balls, striking five fours and four sixes, while rotating the strike efficiently. Colin Ackermann complemented him well with a steady 32 from 28 balls as the pair added a decisive 70-run stand. Namibia’s bowlers struggled to apply sustained pressure, with only Bernard Scholtz and Ruben Trumpelmann managing breakthroughs.
Captain Scott Edwards ensured there were no late hiccups, finishing things off with a rapid 18 not out from nine balls as the Netherlands crossed the line comfortably.
The win further enhanced the Netherlands’ remarkable record in Men’s T20 World Cups. With this victory, they moved to 11 wins overall, the most by any Associate team in the tournament’s history, and boast the best win-loss ratio (0.647) among the 15 Associate sides to have featured so far.
Once again, the Dutch demonstrated why they are no longer just plucky underdogs, but a well-drilled unit capable of consistently delivering on the big stage.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Bas de Leede, Short of a length, on middle, angling in. Bas de Leede gets a bit huirred and mistimes his pull towards deep square leg for a run.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Bas de Leede, Back of a length and around off, Bas de Leede steps across to punch it away. He tries to hit it a bit too hard and ends up stabbing it down to short cover.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Colin Ackermann, On a length and on middle, Colin Ackermann nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.
- Bas de Leede 30 (25)
- Colin Ackermann 23 (18)
Max Heingo to Bas de Leede, FOUR! There is no stopping that! Short of a length and outside off. Bas de Leede accepts the width on offer, gets his hands through the shot and slaps it through extra cover for a boundary. 13 off the over, 67 needed off 54 balls.
Max Heingo to Colin Ackermann, Excellent fielding again! Hard length and just around off, Colin Ackermann waits for it and steers it away wide if short third. Ruben Trumpelmann dives to his left and saves a certain boundary here. They cross.
Max Heingo to Colin Ackermann, Good effort in the deep! Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Colin Ackermann pulls it away wide of deep mid-wicket. The fielder, Dylan Leicher, runs to his right and puts in a big dive to push the ball back inside. He saves two runs for his team.
Max Heingo to Colin Ackermann, Back of a length and around off, Colin Ackermann steers it away towards point.
Max Heingo to Colin Ackermann, SIX! Into the stands! A slower delivery, full and around off. Colin Ackermann picks it up early, he pauses a bit before slogging it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a massive six.
Max Heingo to Colin Ackermann, Good length and outside off, Colin Ackermann shuffles across early for the scoop but misses and gets hit on the pads.
Max Heingo is back on. He conceded 9 runs in his first over.
- Bas de Leede 26 (24)
- Colin Ackermann 14 (13)
JJ Smit to Bas de Leede, JJ Smit pitches it up on the 8-meter length, outside off, it's punched to cover. 80 needed off 60 balls at the halfway mark.
JJ Smit to Colin Ackermann, DROPPED! A sitter which should have been taken. JJ Smit bangs it short and bowls it around off, the bounce gets big on Colin Ackermann, who is pegged back while trying to pull. He hits it off the higher part of the blade and to deep square leg where Louren Steenkamp drops an absolute dolly. A single.
JJ Smit to Colin Ackermann, Short in length and around off, Colin Ackermann pulls it to the right of long on. The fielder runs across, dives and flicks it away. The fielder adjacent to him collects to keep it down to two.
JJ Smit to Colin Ackermann, JJ Smit bowls it in the channel, around off and no room for Colin to work it away, this is knocked to point.
JJ Smit to Bas de Leede, Working in singles and doubles at the moment! JJ Smit pushes it a touch short and on middle, Bas de Leede pulls it to deep square leg for a single.
JJ Smit to Colin Ackermann, On a good length and tight on the off pole. Colin Ackermann fends it away to deep mid-wicket for one.
- Colin Ackermann 10 (9)
- Bas de Leede 25 (22)
Willem Myburgh to Colin Ackermann, A single to end the over as Colin Ackermann works this full ball to long on.
Willem Myburgh to Colin Ackermann, TWO MORE! Looped up, full and on leg, Colin Ackermann sweeps it behind square on the leg side. The fielder in the deep does well to save a couple for his team.
Willem Myburgh to Bas de Leede, Fractionally short, outside off, this is cut to deep point for a single.
Willem Myburgh to Bas de Leede, A leg-breaker, fuller and on leg, Bas de Leede is pegged back as he clips it uppishly to deep mid-wicket. It's wide of the fielder for a brace. There is a quick run out check at the non-striker's end but Colin Ackermann is in.
Willem Myburgh to Colin Ackermann, Fires it full and in line of the stumps, eased down to long on for a single.
Willem Myburgh to Bas de Leede, A flighted full toss, outside off, dipping just enough onto the batter. Bas de Leede hits it through covers and runs across.
- Bas de Leede 21 (19)
- Colin Ackermann 6 (6)
Bernard Scholtz to Bas de Leede, Attacks the stumps with a fuller delivery, Bas de Leede punches it aerially past Scholtz and to long off for one.
Bernard Scholtz to Bas de Leede, Serves it too full, around off, Bas de Leede gets underneath and crunches it to the left of long off for a brace.
Bernard Scholtz to Colin Ackermann, Slingy action from Bernard Scholtz as he pitches it on middle, tucked to mid-wicket for one.
Bernard Scholtz to Bas de Leede, Looped up, fuller delivery on middle, Bas de Leede nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.
Bernard Scholtz to Bas de Leede, Angles in a length ball on leg, it comes with the arm. Bas de Leede tries to heave it across but gets a thick inside edge onto the pads.
Bernard Scholtz to Bas de Leede, FOUR! Thumped back! An arm ball, straighter and holds his line on leg, Bas de Leede clears his front leg and pumps it down to long on for a boundary.
- Bas de Leede 13 (14)
- Colin Ackermann 5 (5)
Willem Myburgh to Bas de Leede, Touch fuller and on middle, Bas de Leede uses his feet as he hits it to long on and keeps the strike. 5 runs off the debutant's first over.
Willem Myburgh to Colin Ackermann, A half-tracker, into the surface and turning away, around off, Colin Ackermann bunts it wide of long on for a run.
Willem Myburgh to Bas de Leede, Slower in the air, fuller and on leg, Bas de Leede works it to square leg for one more.
Willem Myburgh to Colin Ackermann, Tossed up, full and on middle, Colin turns it to mid-wicket and rotates the strike.
Willem Myburgh to Colin Ackermann, A slider, slightly short and angling on leg, Colin Ackermann misses out as he flicks it straight to short fine leg.
Willem Myburgh to Bas de Leede, Leg bye! Drifts in a fuller delivery onto the pads. Bas de Leede fails to flick and it rolls off the pads to square leg for a leg bye.
- Colin Ackermann 3 (2)
- Bas de Leede 11 (11)
Ruben Trumpelmann to Colin Ackermann, Drops it short, wide outside off. Colin Ackermann cuts it late to third man. The fielder slides to his left and saves a couple of runs. 50 up for Netherlands as we end the Powerplay.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Bas de Leede, Bowls it full and on the pads, flicked to deep square leg for a single.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Colin Ackermann, Back of a length and around off, Colin Ackermann nudges it to mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a run.
DRINKS! Netherlands are ahead at this stage in terms of runs, but they have now lost both their openers. However, the chase is still under control and they just need to be smart and not rush into anything, but for Namibia, it is all about wickets. They have to keep striking at regular intervals, and cannot let any big partnerships grow here. Also, Colin Ackermann comes out to the middle now.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Michael Levitt, OUT! TAKEN! Ruben Trumpelmann gets his 50th T20I wicket. Netherlands have lost both the openers inside the Powerplay. Trumpelmann pushes his line across the batter and serves it full. Levitt, without any foot movement, swings his blade and slices it high up and to cover. Willem Myburgh tracks back and settles under it to take the skier. Michael Levitt goes for 28 (15). 110 runs needed in 87 balls.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Michael Levitt, Drags his length back and keeps it on middle, tight from Ruben Trumpelmann and Levitt taps it back.
Ruben Trumpelmann to Michael Levitt, SIX! BANG! A half-volley on middle and leg. Levitt clears his front leg and tonks it over deep mid-wicket for an 81-meter six.
- Bas de Leede 10 (10)
- Michael Levitt 22 (12)
Max Heingo to Bas de Leede, A bit of a mix-up but no harm done! Hits the length hard and on off, Bas de Leede stabs it to the left of the bowler and sets off for the run, but is sent back. Heingo gets to the ball, turns and throws it at the batter's end but misses. Bas de Leede would have been home even with a direct hit.
Max Heingo to Bas de Leede, SIX! Bas de Leede joins the party now! Max Heingo bowls this slightly fuller and on middle. Bas de Leede shimmies down the track, brings his bottom hand into play and launches it over the long on fence for a biggie.
Max Heingo to Bas de Leede, On a length and on off, Bas de Leede pushes it back to the bowler.
Max Heingo to Bas de Leede, Back of a length and on middle and leg, Bas de Leede heaves it away wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.
Max Heingo to Bas de Leede, Almost dragged on! Short of a length and around off, Bas de Leede hops up to cut it away but fails to handle the bounce, and gets a bottom edge onto the pitch. That could have easily gone back to the stumps.
Bowling change. Max Heingo is into the attack.
Max Heingo to Michael Levitt, Good-length delivery, on middle, Michael Levitt fends it to the leg side and sets off for the run. Heingo himself runs to his right, picks up the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end. He misses, but even if he had hit, Levitt was in.
- Michael Levitt 21 (11)
- Bas de Leede 2 (5)
JJ Smit to Michael Levitt, Full again and on middle, Michael Levitt pushes it towards cover for one.
JJ Smit to Michael Levitt, SIX! That is outta here! JJ Smit tries to follow the batter, serves this full and on leg. Michael Levitt backs away early, crouches low and slog sweeps it. He gets it from the toe-end of his bat but the ball still flies well over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.
Asked to bat first, Namibia posted a competitive 156 for eight, built around a measured knock from Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, who top-scored with 42 off 38 balls. Jan Frylinck gave the innings early impetus with 30 from 26 deliveries, while skipper Gerhard Erasmus provided a late spark, blazing away to 18 off just nine balls. JJ Smit’s brisk 22 off 15 balls helped Namibia maintain momentum through the middle overs, but regular wickets prevented them from fully capitalising.
The Netherlands bowlers kept things tight, with Logan van Beek and Bas de Leede leading the charge. Van Beek’s controlled spell of 2 for 13 and de Leede’s 2 for 20 ensured Namibia were never able to break free, while Aryan Dutt also impressed with his economy, conceding just 13 runs in three overs.
In reply, the Dutch chase was anchored by a superb all-round performance from de Leede, who followed up his bowling effort with an unbeaten 72 off 48 balls. Opener Michael Levitt set the tone with a quickfire 28 from 15 deliveries, striking three sixes to power the Netherlands to 50 in the powerplay. Although Levitt and Max O’Dowd departed early, de Leede and Colin Ackermann stitched together a decisive partnership.
Ackermann played the supporting role to perfection, scoring 32 off 28 balls as the pair added 70 runs for the third wicket, steadily taking the game away from Namibia. After Ackermann fell late in the chase, skipper Scott Edwards finished things off in style, smashing 18 not out from nine balls to seal victory in the 18th over.
The win further burnished the Netherlands’ impressive record at the Men’s T20 World Cup. With 11 victories, they now have the most wins among Associate teams in the tournament’s history, ahead of Scotland (8), Afghanistan and Namibia (5 each), and Ireland (3). Their win-loss ratio of 0.647 remains the best among the 15 Associate nations to have featured in the competition.
For Namibia, the defeat highlighted familiar issues — competitive totals undone by disciplined bowling and composed batting from the opposition. For the Netherlands, it was another statement performance, blending control, depth and big-match temperament on the global stage.
Match Statistics
Venue
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
