Bas de Leede stars in comprehensive Dutch win against Namibia in T20 World Cup
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
The Netherlands' Bas de Leede plays a shot in the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup group-stage match against Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Feb 10, 2026. He was 72 not out in the seven-wicket win.
PHOTO: AFP
NEW DELHI – Bas de Leede smashed an unbeaten 72 to power the Netherlands to a seven-wicket victory against Namibia in the cricket Twenty20 World Cup on Feb 10.
He struck four sixes and five fours in a 48-ball gem in the Group A match, as the Dutch reeled in a 157-run target with two overs to spare for their first win of the tournament.
They had pushed former champions Pakistan to the brink before losing in the final over in Colombo on Feb 7.
“I think we were lucky to bowl first,” player of the match de Leede said. “It gave us a good look at the wicket, and I thought we adjusted really well as a bowling group.
“Later in the game, I felt the pitch started skidding on a bit – so credit to the batters for adapting to that as well.”
Captain Scott Edwards chose to field and rotated eight bowlers, but Namibia still mustered a competitive 156-8 after a stuttering start.
Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (42) anchored, with Jan Frylinck (30) and J.J. Smit (22) adding useful runs. Skipper Gerhard Erasmus (18) hit two fours and a six before falling as he looked to launch a counterattack.
Max O’Dowd fell cheaply after the Dutch side began their chase and Michael Levitt (28) could not convert his start either, but a let-off for Colin Ackermann proved costly for Namibia.
Ackermann went on to make 32 in his match-defining 70-run stand with de Leede to put the Netherlands on course to victory.
De Leede hit Loftie-Eaton for a six to bring his team near the target, before sealing victory with a four.
Namibia will face a sterner test when they face defending champions India at the same venue on Feb 12. REUTERS
