Paul van Meekeren’s three wickets yesterday helped the Netherlands claim their first victory of the T20 World Cup Super 12 stage, as their five-wicket win all but eliminated Zimbabwe, while India edged Bangladesh by five runs in a crunch rain-hit match that went to the last ball.
The Dutch, who are already out of the semi-final race, bowled out Zimbabwe for 117 in 19.2 overs at the Adelaide Oval and, led by Max O’Dowd’s 52, achieved their target by reaching 120-5 with 12 balls to spare.
“It’s awesome,” captain Scott Edwards said. “We came here to win some games at the Super 12. Good to get the ball rolling after a rocking start.”
Photo: AFP
Zimbabwe, who just have one win from their four matches, need a mathematical miracle to make the semi-finals as one of the top two teams in Group 2, currently led by South Africa who are to play Pakistan today.
O’Dowd and Tom Cooper, who made 32, put on a second-wicket stand of 73 to guide the team home as the fans poured in for the evening match of the double-header between India and Bangladesh.
“I was quite scrappy at the start. It was important to adapt to the wicket,” player of the match O’Dowd said. “Zimbabwe have some tall boys, so they have extra bounce. I took time to adapt, but eventually adapted well to bat as long as I could.”
Photo: AFP
In the late match, inaugural champions India put a foot in the semi-finals following their nervy five-run victory.
Virat Kohli made an unbeaten 64 to maintain his red-hot form and K.L. Rahul (50) ended his run drought as they fired India to a commanding 184-6 at the Adelaide Oval.
Chasing a revised target of 151 in 16 overs after a rain interruption, Bangladesh looked on course with Litton Das (60) going great guns, but his exit unhinged his side who eventually finished on 145-6.
India moved to top of Group 2 with six points, one ahead of South Africa who have played one game fewer.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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