New Delhi, Feb 10 (NationPress) Pace-bowling all-rounders Logan van Beek and Bas de Leede each took two wickets as the Netherlands' bowlers showcased a disciplined effort to limit Namibia to 156/8 in their 20 overs during a Group A match of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday.

Namibia's innings started with high energy but lacked composure, with frantic running nearly leading to a run-out in the opening over. Off-spinner Aryan Dutt set the pace in the powerplay, allowing just 13 runs in three overs while dismissing Louren Steenkamp.

Namibia temporarily steadied their innings with a 50-run partnership between Jan Frylinck and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, who was the top scorer with 42 runs. However, the pair, along with skipper Gerhard Erasmus, fell short in their attempts to accelerate the scoring, as no Namibian batter could convert their starts into a significant innings.

Scott Edwards cleverly rotated his eight bowlers, restricting Namibia to a total that appears below par, setting the Netherlands a chase of 157 runs, which they feel confident about achieving. Dutt began the proceedings for the Netherlands and created drama on the last ball of the over when Steenkamp nudged to the on-side for a single, narrowly avoiding a run-out when Edwards accidentally dislodged a bail before gathering the ball.

With Dutt showing impressive turn and bounce, he made a breakthrough in his second over, outsmarting Steenkamp in flight and having him stumped by Edwards for just six runs. The introduction of Fred Klaassen in the fourth over prompted Frylinck to begin a brief counterattack, flicking through midwicket for four before smashing a six straight over the bowler’s head.

After escaping an lbw appeal from Colin Ackermann, Loftie-Eaton struck a towering six and later edged for four, while Frylinck sliced another boundary over cover. As their partnership surpassed fifty runs, Loftie-Eaton received two reprieves on the same delivery—de Leede dropped a catch at cover while Ackermann failed to effect a run-out.

Van Beek returned in the ninth over, breaking the 50-run partnership by having Frylinck nick behind for 30 runs. Loftie-Eaton then began to find his footing, lofting Ackermann over long-off and pulling with authority for six and four.

Erasmus entered with determination, smashing Timm van der Gugten for a six over long-on and hitting two quick fours on either side of the wicket. However, de Leede struck back in the 13th over as Erasmus mistimed a pull shot and fell for 18, while van Beek dismissed Loftie-Eaton, who mistimed an off-cutter to long-on.

JJ Smit broke loose against Roelof van der Merwe, launching him cleanly over cow corner and following up with another six over long-off. Yet, the Netherlands mounted a late fightback that prevented Namibia from finishing strong. De Leede struck again, cramping Smit for room on a late cut and hitting the top of the off stump, while Klaassen returned to have Zane Green caught at deep cover.

Ruben Trumpelmann was run out in a miscommunication with Dylan Leicher, as de Leede dashed to the stumps to complete the dismissal, while debutant William Myburgh fell short of the crease attempting a second run on the last ball, with the Netherlands conceding only 26 runs in the final three overs.

Brief Scores: Namibia 156/8 in 20 overs (Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton 42, Jan Frylinck 30; Logan van Beek 2-13, Bas de Leede 2-20) against the Netherlands.