Team performance leads Dutch past Zimbabwe for T20 World Cup win

There was a lot at stake for both teams: a chance of a semi-final place for Zimbabwe and rehabilitation for the Netherlands. Zimbabwe has been one of the 'giant slayers' of the tournament to date. They won against Pakistan and could also have beaten Bangladesh. Sean Williams, however, did not crown his amazing innings of 64 out of 42 balls with a win.

As for the Playing XI there was a pleasant surprise for the Netherlands. Bas de Leede, who was hit just below his right eye against Pakistan, was found fit to play by the doctor. Seamer Van Beek came in for spinner Pringle.

On a pitch that looked significantly friendlier than the 'highway to hell' in Perth, Zimbabwe opted for batting first. With his now famous yorker, Van Meekeren bowled Madhevere in the second over. Shortly after, Brandon Glover forced a top edge from the dangerous Craig Ervine that was caught by keeper Edwards. It seemed unfortunate for the Netherlands that Chakabva was dropped twice off consecutive deliveries; by Bas de Leede at backward point and by Edwards behind the wicket. It did not upset Glover, however; he got the righthander lbw. It was 20/3 after six overs.

In Glover’s third over Sikandar Raza hit him for fourteen runs. This way Zimbabwe tried to boost its substandard runrate. Glover had Raza caught behind, but the edge was so thin that no one appealed. At the drinks break it was 53/3.

So Raza survived, but his partner Williams (28) got a top edge off Van Meekeren that flew to the alert Max O'Dowd on the square leg boundary. A breakthrough - and Klaassen ensured the potential knockout by catching Raza (40) handsomely at long off, off De Leede’s bowling: 92/6 in the fifteenth over.

Wickets continued to fall, thanks to catches by Van Beek and Myburgh. Before completing the twenty overs, Zimbabwe was all out for 117. Paul van Meekeren (3-29), Brandon Glover (2-29), Logan van Beek (2-17) and Bas de Leede (2-13) were the most successful Dutch bowlers.

Innings Netherlands

O'Dowd and Myburgh started energetically until the latter was caught at backward point. Cooper, promoted to number three, and O'Dowd made a crucial partnership of 73 runs for the second wicket with fantastic batting - and a bit of luck. After the tenth over, in which O'Dowd played the shot of the day with a six over extra cover, it was 67/1.

Cooper made a fine 32, but will be disappointed not to have finished the match. Now his pullshot ended up in the hands of Madhevere at deep square leg: 90/2. Despite the rapid fall of Ackermann's wicket, the Dutch seemed to cruise to victory. Tower of strength was O'Dowd, who had almost silently made 52 rock solid runs.

For a while the Dutch seemed to choke (Edwards out, and De Leede surviving a huge stumping chance), but with a four over the bowler’s head De Leede made the final runs to secure a win for the Netherlands.

After the match, captain Scott Edwards praised both his bowlers and his opening batter O'Dowd. The win meant rehabilitation for the hard-fighting Netherlands. Zimbabwe's chances of a semi-final spot are lost.

Photo credit ICC/Getty images