Netherlands vs Namibia T20 World Cup 2026, Highlights: Netherlands Beat Namibia By 7 Wickets

Done with this game - That's all from here, with the Netherlands securing their first points of the campaign while Namibia begin their journey with a defeat. The action now moves to Group D, where New Zealand take on the UAE at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. That game will get underway shortly, so you can switch tabs and join us for all the coverage. Cheers!

The victorious skipper of Netherlands - Scott Edwards notes that it was a pretty good day for them. The conditions favoured them and credited his bowlers for restricting Namibia to a below-par score. Mentions that it was nice to have spinners who can bowl to the left-handed batters. On Bas de Leede, Scott replies that he was sensational for the team. He came into the attack and did an excellent job, and was impressive with the bat too. Regarding their plan for the chase, Scott Edwards shares that they give their openers the freedom to express themselves, and he feels the Powerplay was decent. Further states that they back their batters to go hard and stay ahead of the game. Mentions that their next game against the USA is a massive one, and he hopes to win the match.

The captain of Namibia - Gerhard Erasmus says that they did reasonably well with the bat, but should have got more runs in the Powerplay. Adds that the wicket was a bit tacky, but overall, it was a good effort from them. Mentions that failing to build partnerships in the middle cost them, and reckons that if they had got to 160-170, they could have been in the game. Erasmus further says that when you are shy of runs, you try to buy wickets, which they could not. Tells that the next game will be under lights, so they will have to get used to the conditions. Admits that not having to travel and playing in the same venue is a good thing for them. Ends by saying that it will be a big crowd for that game against India, but they will prepare well for it.

Let's see what the captains have to say...

Tough outing for Namibia - There is not much to talk about in Namibia's bowling effort, largely because they did not have enough runs on the board. Bernard Scholtz struck early, with Ruben Trumpelmann and Loftie-Eaton also picking up wickets, but the breakthroughs came too few and too far apart as the damage had already been done. A couple of missed chances only made things harder, and Namibia will need to tighten up quickly ahead of their next game.

Bowlers set it up for the Dutch - Earlier in the game, Namibia posted a fighting total, thanks largely to Jan Frylinck and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, who added 50 together, along with late cameos from Gerhard Erasmus and JJ Smit, which pushed them past 150 without a final flourish. Netherlands responded with a disciplined bowling effort, led by Logan van Beek's two wickets after his setback against Pakistan, while Bas de Leede also took two and Aryan Dutt and Fred Klaassen chipped in as well, backed up by sharp fielding and a couple of run-outs.

A chase wrapped up with class - Despite losing Max O'Dowd early, Netherlands never looked in trouble in the chase. Michael Levitt provided a brisk start, but it was the 70-run stand between Bas de Leede and Colin Ackermann that truly put the game beyond Namibia. De Leede led from the front, carrying the confidence from his bowling into his batting, and finished unbeaten on 72 off 48 balls, fittingly striking the winning runs with a couple of overs to spare

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Bas de Leede wins the award for his 2/20 (3) with the ball and 72* off 48 with the bat. He notes that bowling first provided a strategic advantage by allowing the team to assess the conditions early on. Observing that the wicket was particularly sticky, he deliberately adjusted his length to bowl shorter than usual to exploit the surface. Further expresses that the pitch conditions favored batters who aimed to hit down the ground. Reflecting on his own performance, Bas de Leede attributes his success to the significant time he invested in strength training prior to the start of the tournament.

Netherlands cruise to a statement win - A clinical chase from the Dutch gets them up and running in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Netherlands outplayed Namibia in every facet of the game, making it a tough start for the African nation, who will have plenty to reflect on as they look ahead to the challenges to come.

FOUR! Bas de Leede hits the winning runs. Flatter trajectory, it's fired very full and wide outside off, Bas de Leede stays back, opens the face of the bat and calmly guides it through the gap between backward point and short third for a boundary. NETHERLANDS WIN BY 7 WICKETS, with 2 overs to spare. That's a statement win!

SIX! Netherlands are two runs away now. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton bowls a leggie but errs in line, bowling on the leg side. Bas de Leede quickly gets on his knee and powers it over square leg for the second six of the over.

Fractionally short, outside off, Edwards strokes it wide of point for a single.

Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton pushes it touch wide and bowls it full. Edwards bends his back knee and lofts it to the right of deep extra cover for a brace.

SIX! ALL THE WAY! This was asking to be hit! Floats it on the fuller side, around off, Edwards slog sweeps it high and over the deep mid-wicket fence.

A low full toss, around off, Edwards plants his front foot inside the line and sweeps it to deep square leg for a couple of runs. Netherlands are nicely picking the gaps.

19 needed in 18 now. With the game in control and wickets in hand, Netherlands might look to finish this as early as possible to help with NRR, as it could play a big factor in the group stages. Also, here is Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton to bowl.

Overpitched, around off, Edwards digs it out to mid off for a run.

FOUR! IN THE GAP! A well-directed bumper, around off, Edwards gets on his toes and pulls it in front of square on the leg, wide of the fielder in the deep for a boundary. 20 needed off 19 balls.

Short of a length, around off, stays a bit low and Bas de Leede works it to long on for a single.

Goes fuller and outside off, Bas de Leede pushes it to point where the fielder makes a fine stop.