ADELAIDE, Nov 2:
In-form opener Max O’Dowd slammed a fine half century after a clinical show by the pace bowlers as Netherlands beat Zimbabwe by five wickets for their first win of the ongoing T20 World Cup here on Wednesday.
The Netherlands chased down the small target of 118 with two overs to spare with O’Dowd hitting 52 from 47 balls, reaching 120 for 5 to collect their first points — two — though they are already out of the tournament.
Zimababwe are also virtually out of the tournament after Wednesday’s loss.
Paul van Meekeren (3/29) led the Dutch’s disciplined pace bowling show after Zimbabwe opted to bat, while Brandon Glover, Logan van Beek and Bas de Leede also returned with two wickets apiece to skittle out the African side for 117 in 19.2 overs.
In their must-win match, Sikandar Raza was the lone bright spot for Zimbabwe in an otherwise sloppy batting display by the team as the star all-rounder smashed a 24-ball 40 (3×4, 3×6) to take them past the 100-run mark.
But the target of 118 proved way below par as the Dutch cantered home in 18 overs en route to their first win of the Super-12 stage.
The ‘Orange Army’ will face South Africa in their last match on Sunday.
Zimbabwe, who had a stunning win over Pakistan earlier in the tournament, next face tournament favourites India in their last match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. (PTI)
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