Netherlands registered their first win in T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 stage to spoil Zimbabwe's slim chances of reaching the semi-final. In yet another low-scoring encounter, Zimbabwe bowlers did well to stretch the game but nine single-digit scores meant they post a non-threatening total at Adelaide Oval.
Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine won the toss and opted to bat first. Paul van Meekeren drew first blood with the wicket of Wesley Madhevere. Craig Ervine (3) too many dot deliveries and his troubled stay at the crease was ended by Brandon Glover in the ninth over.
Glover struck again off the last ball of powerplay overs to get rid of Regis Chakabva (5). Zimbabwe managed to post just 20/3 during the fielding restrictions. Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza tried to get the innings back on track after a slow start. Raza attacked whereas Williams tried to play the anchor role. Van Meekeren returned to attack and broke the fourth-wicket partnership. Wiliams scored 28 runs from 23 deliveries including three boundaries.
Raza did not hold himself back. Meanwhile, Logan van Beek dismissed Milton Shumba (2). Raza's knock came to an end in the 15th over. Bas de Leeded got the crucial wicket that played a massive role in restricting Zimbabwe to a below par total. Raza scored 40 runs from 24 deliveries including three fours and as many sixes. In the slog overs, Zimbabwe lower-order batters could not accelerate and ended up getting all out for 117. For Netherlands, Van Meekeren got three wickets whereas Glover, Van Beek and De Leede took two wickets each.
In the run chase, Blessing Muzarabani got the first breakthrough with the new ball with the wicket of Stephan Myburgh (8). After the powerplay overs, the Dutch had 35 runs on the board as Tom Cooper and Max ODowd tried to play themselves in. They did not take many risks in the middle overs and tried to cruise towards the target. Luke Jongwe broke the second-wicket partnership in the 13th over. Cooper scored 32 runs from 29 deliveries including two fours and one six.
Richard Ngarava got the wicket of Colin Ackermann (1) in the next over to show Zimbabwe fans a glimmer of hope. Jongwe conceded 17 runs in the 15th over which took the game away from Zimbabwe. ODowd reached his half-century with a boundary from 45 deliveries. In the next over, Muzarabani got the wicket of ODowd's wicket who hit eight fours and one six in his anchor knock.
Ngarava followed it up with the wicket of Scott Edwards but it was just a consolation. De Leede finished the match with a boundary as the Dutch won the game by five wickets with 12 balls to spare.
