ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 : Ned vs Nam, full match Highlights

Group A encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the Netherlands registered a convincing seven-wicket victory over Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Monday. The win marked an important turnaround for the Dutch side after their narrow defeat against Pakistan in their opening match and kept their Super 8 qualification hopes firmly alive.

The Netherlands produced a disciplined bowling performance followed by a controlled batting display, with Bas de Leede playing a central role in both innings. De Leede claimed two wickets and then anchored the chase with an unbeaten half-century to guide his team home comfortably.

Toss and early conditions

Netherlands captain Scott Edwards won the toss and opted to bowl first under clear skies but relatively cool conditions. The surface appeared good for batting, but the early movement on offer persuaded Edwards to use his seamers upfront. The decision proved effective as the Dutch bowlers quickly settled into a disciplined rhythm.

Namibia innings falters early

Namibia struggled to find momentum from the start. The opening batters found scoring difficult against tight bowling from Fred Klaassen and Logan van Beek, who extracted movement and bounce with the new ball. Early wickets put Namibia on the defensive, forcing their middle order into a rebuilding phase sooner than expected.

Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton attempted to steady the innings with a measured approach, he showed restraint to top-score with 42 off 38 balls. His knock provided stability but lacked the acceleration Namibia needed on a surface that demanded intent.

Support came from Jan Frylinck, who scored 30 from 26 deliveries. Together, the pair rotated the strike but found it difficult to break free as the Netherlands tightened their grip during the middle overs.

The Dutch spinners, Aryan Dutt and Roelof van der Merwe, bowled with control and variation, conceding few boundaries and forcing errors through sustained pressure. Namibia’s scoring rate dipped significantly during this phase, leaving them with work to do at the death.

Late contributions from captain Gerhard Erasmus, who struck 18 off 9 balls, and JJ Smit, who added 22 off 15, helped Namibia recover slightly. However, their final total of 156 for 8 always looked slightly below par.

Van Beek and De Leede were the standout bowlers for the Netherlands, picking up two wickets each and ensuring Namibia never gained control of the innings.

Netherlands control the chase

In reply, the Netherlands approached the chase with clarity and intent. Opener Michael Levitt provided an aggressive start, scoring 28 off just 15 balls. His innings included three sixes and helped ease early pressure following the team’s previous defeat.

After Levitt dismissal, De Leede took responsibility and anchored the innings with composure. He built a crucial partnership with Colin Ackermann, who contributed a steady 32 from 28 balls. The pair ensured the required run rate remained under control, rotating the strike effectively while punishing loose deliveries.

De Leede unbeaten 72 came off 48 balls and reflected a mature, well-paced innings. He absorbed pressure when Namibia attempted to slow the scoring through spin before accelerating in the latter stages. His shot selection and game awareness stood out as the Netherlands moved steadily towards the target.

Comfortable finish seals victory

As the match entered its closing phase, Namibia struggled to regain momentum. Edwards joined De Leede at the crease and finished the chase with an unbeaten 18 from 9 deliveries. The winning runs were scored in the 18th over, sealing a seven-wicket victory with two overs to spare.
The Netherlands ended on 159 for 3, completing a comprehensive performance that boosted their Net Run Rate and confidence. The result keeps them firmly in contention for a place in the Super 8 stage, while Namibia will need to regroup quickly after a challenging start to their campaign.