Netherland vs Namibia T20I WC 2026 delivered a decisive result on the global stage as the Netherlands registered their first victory of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, defeating Namibia by seven wickets in Group B Match 10 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. After suffering a narrow loss in their opening fixture, the Dutch side bounced back in style with a composed chase and disciplined bowling performance.
The match not only boosted Netherlands’ confidence but also reshaped the Group B standings, keeping their qualification hopes alive in the early stages of the tournament.
Match Overview: Netherland vs Namibia T20I WC 2026
| Match | Netherland vs Namibia |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match No. | Group B – Match 10 |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| Result | Netherlands won by 7 wickets |
| Namibia Score | 156/8 (20 overs) |
| Netherlands Score | 157/3 (18 overs) |
Netherlands Win the Toss and Opt to Bowl
Winning the toss, Netherlands captain Scott Edwards chose to field first, citing helpful conditions for bowlers early in the innings. The pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium offered good bounce and some movement, which the Dutch bowlers used effectively to restrict Namibia to a manageable total.
The decision proved spot on as Namibia struggled to accelerate consistently against tight bowling spells and sharp fielding.
Namibia Innings: Loftie-Eaton Anchors the Batting
Batting first, Namibia posted 156 runs for 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. While the innings lacked a late flourish, it was Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton who stood tall with a composed knock under pressure.
Namibia Batting Scorecard Highlights
| Batsman | Runs |
|---|---|
| Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton | 42 |
| Jan Frylinck | 30 |
| JJ Smit | 22 |
| Gerhard Erasmus | 18 |
| Zane Green | 9 |
| Ruben Trumpelmann | 9 |
| Others | 26 |
Loftie-Eaton’s 42 off 38 balls helped Namibia stabilize their innings after early wickets. However, regular breakthroughs by the Netherlands bowling unit prevented Namibia from crossing the 170-run mark, which could have posed a stiffer challenge.
Netherlands Bowling Performance: Discipline and Control
The Dutch bowling attack delivered a collective effort, with multiple bowlers contributing crucial wickets and maintaining a tight line throughout the innings.
Netherlands Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan van Beek | – | 13 | 2 |
| Tim van der Gugten | – | 21 | 2 |
| Bas de Leede | – | 20 | 2 |
| Aryan Dutt | – | 13 | 1 |
| Fred Klaassen | – | 25 | 1 |
| Colin Ackermann | – | 33 | 0 |
| Roelof van der Merwe | – | 22 | 0 |
| Zack Singh-Ketcher | – | 6 | 0 |
The ability of Netherlands to take wickets at regular intervals ensured Namibia never fully settled, despite brief partnerships in the middle overs.
Target Set: Netherlands Chasing 157
A target of 157 runs was always within reach on a good batting surface. Netherlands approached the chase with patience, clarity, and intent, ensuring they did not repeat the mistakes of their opening match against Pakistan.
Netherlands Batting: Bas de Leede Steals the Show
The Netherlands batting unit showcased maturity and confidence, led by an outstanding knock from Bas de Leede, who anchored the chase brilliantly.
Netherlands Batting Scorecard Highlights
| Batsman | Runs |
|---|---|
| Bas de Leede | 72 |
| Colin Ackermann | 32 |
| Michael Levitt | 28 |
| Scott Edwards | 18 |
| Max O’Dowd | 7 |
Bas de Leede’s fluent 72 proved to be the defining innings of the match. Mixing caution with aggressive stroke play, he kept the required run rate under control and ensured there was no panic during the chase.
Netherlands reached the target in just 18 overs, sealing a comfortable seven-wicket victory and collecting two vital points.
Namibia Bowling: Early Efforts, Limited Impact
Namibia’s bowlers tried to apply pressure early but struggled to break partnerships once Netherlands settled into the chase.
Namibia Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Bernard Scholtz | 27 | 1 |
| Ruben Trumpelmann | 30 | 1 |
| Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton | 31 | 1 |
| JJ Smit | 25 | 0 |
| Max Hinggo | 22 | 0 |
| Willem Mayberg | 12 | 0 |
| Gerhard Erasmus | 11 | 0 |
Despite a few breakthroughs, Namibia could not contain de Leede and Ackermann, who dictated the tempo of the innings.
First Win for Netherlands in T20 World Cup 2026
This victory marked Netherlands’ first win of the T20 World Cup 2026, following a heartbreaking three-wicket loss to Pakistan in their opening match. In that encounter, the Dutch side had come agonizingly close to pulling off a major upset before Pakistan snatched victory in the final moments.
The win against Namibia not only lifted team morale but also kept Netherlands firmly in contention for the knockout stages.
Head-to-Head Record: Netherlands vs Namibia in T20Is
| Matches Played | Netherlands Wins | Namibia Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
The result further strengthened Netherlands’ dominance over Namibia in T20 international cricket.
Playing XIs
Netherlands Playing XI
Michael Levitt, Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (c & wk), Zack Lion-Cachet, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Roelof van der Merwe, Tim van der Gugten, Fred Klaassen
Namibia Playing XI
Lorenzo Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Dylan Leicher, Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Mayberg, Bernard Scholtz, Max Hinggo
What This Means for Group B
With this result, Netherlands have opened their account on the points table, while Namibia will need to regroup quickly to stay competitive in Group B. As the tournament progresses, net run rate could become crucial, making dominant wins like this even more valuable.
Also read: South Africa vs Canada, T20 World Cup 2026: Proteas Cruise to a Dominant 57-Run Victory
Conclusion
Netherland vs Namibia T20I WC 2026 proved to be a statement performance from the Dutch side. With disciplined bowling, calm leadership, and a match-winning innings from Bas de Leede, Netherlands showcased why they are one of the most dangerous associate teams in world cricket.
As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 continues, Netherlands will look to build on this momentum, while Namibia will aim to bounce back stronger in their upcoming fixtures.
