T20 World Cup: Bas de Leede exorcises Delhi demons in all-round display as Netherlands cruise past Namibia by 7 wickets

De Leede first took two wickets – those of skipper Gerhard Erasmus and JJ Smit – in three overs, conceding just 20 runs, and affected the run-out of the dangerous Ruben Trumpelmann, before anchoring the confident 157-run chase with an unbeaten 72 off 48 balls.

De Leede, who came in at No.3, had the match-defining partnership with Colin Ackermann (32 off 28) as the 70-run stand in 51 balls got the Dutch within striking distance.

During his decisive innings, De Leede gave an ample display of his stroke-play and big hitting, managing five fours and four sixes. And when skipper Scott Edwards joined him with 41 needed off six overs, it was time to put the foot on the pedal. The end came quickly as they needed just four overs to get the job done.

“It was not a conscious decision to finish the game quickly. Scottie brings energy into the middle, and I decided if the ball was there to be hit, I’ll go for it,” de Leede said after the game.

De Leede, whose father Tim was a Dutch stalwart as the country took its initial steps in the sport in the 1990s and early 2000s and whose cousin Babette is an accomplished wicketkeeper-batter with the women’s team, said the chastising experience in October 2023 was not something that crossed his mind before or during Tuesday’s encounter.

“I’m pretty forgetful in such matters, and it wasn’t at the back of my mind,” De Leede said. “I’m not much fussed about it.”

The manner in which the Dutch went about their business was clinical. After winning the toss on a surface that improved as the game progressed, they had the Namibia innings under control throughout, and whenever the African team threatened to break free, they invariably lost a wicket. None of their key batters survived till the death overs to give the finishing kick the innings needed. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (42 off 38 deliveries) and Jan Frylinck (30 off 26) stayed the longest, but couldn’t do any sustained damage.

The Dutch utilised spin for more than half of the innings, with most of them coming in the first half. Off-spinner Aryan Dutt (1/13 in three overs) and pacer Logan van Beek (2/13 in three), who opened the bowling, were difficult to get away as the Powerplay brought just 40 runs at the expense of one wicket.

Kept in check

There was a phase around the 12-over mark when Namibia had the momentum with the run rate nearing eight an over, but after Erasmus failed to clear Dutt at short mid-wicket with a pull shot, they were always behind the eight-ball and finished with a below-par total.

When it was time for the chase, the Dutch got ahead of the rate early and stayed there. Max O’Dowd got out early, but it didn’t deter them. Michael Levitt’s 28 off 15 balls took charge of the powerplay, and they were 50/2 after six overs.

Brief scores: Namibia 156/8 in 20 overs (Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton 42, Jan Frylinck 30; Logan van Beek 2/13, Bas de Leede 2/20) lost to The Netherlands 158/3 in 18 overs (De Leede 72 not out, Colin Ackermann 32) by seven wickets

Tushar Bhaduri is a highly experienced sports journalist with The Indian Express, based in Delhi. He has been a journalist for 25 years, with 20 of those dedicated to sports reporting. Professional Background Expertise: Tushar writes on a wide variety of sports, focusing on the "bigger picture" and identifying underlying trends that impact the sporting world. Experience: He has covered numerous major global sporting events over his long career. Writing Style: He is known for providing analytical depth, often exploring governance, sportsmanship, and tactical evolutions in games like cricket, golf, and hockey. Recent Notable Articles (2025) His recent work highlights his diverse interests, ranging from the business of golf to major international cricket tournaments: Golf and Athlete Ventures: "In turf battle of golf leagues, Kapil Dev and Yuvraj Singh in opposite camps" (Dec 11, 2025) — A piece on the rivalry between new golf leagues promoted by Indian cricket legends. "Golf's glittering stars in India: Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood... battle for $4million prize" (Oct 14, 2025) — Coverage of the biggest-ever golf tournament in India. Cricket and World Cups: "How rains in Colombo helped India stay alive in the ICC Women's World Cup" (Oct 22, 2025). "Champions Trophy: How Glenn Maxwell brain-fade proved costly" (Mar 4, 2025) — Analysis of a critical turning point in the IND vs AUS match. "IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: In PBKS and RCB, the league's underachievers look to take one step closer" (May 28, 2025). Thought Pieces and Policy: "Sportsmanship is going out of fashion" (Oct 8, 2025) — An editorial on the blurring lines between passion and provocation across various sports like chess, golf, and cricket. "Can the Italian Open really become the fifth Grand Slam in tennis?" (May 20, 2024). Olympic Sports: "Paris Olympics hockey: Why the defeat to Belgium ushers in hope and optimism for India" (Aug 1, 2024). Topics of Interest Tushar frequently writes about IPL strategy, ICC tournament planning, and profiles of rising stars like Vaibhav Suryavanshi. He also maintains a keen interest in historical sports narratives, such as the legacy of Dhyan Chand. ... Read More

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