T20 World Cup 2022, NED vs NAM: Bas de Leede masterclass helps Netherlands pip Namibia 

Netherlands in action [Source: Twitter]

The fifth Group stage encounter of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup witnessed Netherlands edge past Namibia by five wickets . The Dutch have boosted their Super-12 qualification chances significantly with this astounding victory. 

Dutch seamers restrict Namibia to a paltry 121

After deciding to bat first, Namibia got off to a poor start, losing three wickets inside the powerplay. While Divan la Cock and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton couldn't open their accounts, Michael van Lingen managed 20 runs before being dismissed by Colin Ackermann. 

However, Jan Frylinck steadied the ship for Namibia, stitching two crucial partnerships of 31 and 41 runs, respectively, with Stephan Baard and the skipper Gerhard Erasmus. Although Frylinck top-scored for Namibia, he consumed 48 balls for his 43. Baard contributed 19 runs, while Erasmus crawled his way through to an 18-ball 16. 

What stood out for the Netherlands was their pacers' intelligence on Geelong's two-paced deck. The Dutch seamers read the nature of the surface to perfection and varied their pace effectively, which paid rich dividends for them. On the other hand, Namibia's decision to hold David Wiese and JJ Smit back in the dugout for too long made matters worse for them. 

Bas de Leede was the pick of the bowlers for the Netherlands, scalping two wickets for 18 runs. Tim Pringle, Colin Ackermann, Paul van Meekeren and Roelof van der Merwe shared the remaining four wickets equally.  

Bas de Leede holds his nerve to script a memorable win for the Netherlands

Bas de Leede played a gem of a knock [Source: Twitter]

In response to Namibia's 121, the Netherlands began their chase in an exactly opposite manner, with openers Vikramjit Singh and Max O'Dowd adding 59 runs in 50 balls for the first wicket. 

Singh nailed the aggressor's role to perfection, hammering a breathtaking 31-ball 39. His whirlwind knock, glittered with three fours and two sixes, helped the Dutch strike at a pace better than the required rate. 

After Singh's departure, O'Dowd (35) stitched another 33-run stand with Bas de Leede, swinging the game into his team's favour. However, Namibia, riding on the sensational spells from JJ Smit and Jan Frylinck, pulled things back magnificently by removing O'Dowd, Ackermann, Cooper and Scott Edwards within 18 balls. 

But their joy proved to be short-lived as De Leede (30*) and Tim Pringle (8*) ensured the Netherlands didn't have further hiccups, chasing the target eventually with only three balls to spare. 

Brief Scores

Namibia: 121/6 (20)
Jan Frylinck 43 (48), Michael van Lingen 20 (19);
Bas de Leede 2/18 (3), Tim Pringle 1/15 (3)

Netherlands: 122/5 (19.3)
Vikramjit Singh 39 (31), Max O'Dowd 35 (35), Bas de Leede 30 (30);
JJ Smit 2/24 (4), Jan Frylinck 1/16 (4)

Netherlands won by five wickets. 

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