New Delhi: Bas de Leede capped a superb all-round display with a commanding unbeaten 72 with the bat after 2 wickets with the ball, as the Netherlands brushed aside Namibia by seven wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday.

Still ruing from the narrow defeat against Pakistan that many within the camp felt slipped through their fingers, Scott Edwards’ side corrected course emphatically, marrying sharp bowling plans with a controlled chase to underline their credentials in the group.

Spin-first thinking sets the tone

Winning the toss, the Netherlands committed fully to conditions, making two changes to the XI and doubling down on a spin-heavy approach from the outset. Aryan Dutt was entrusted with the new ball, and Edwards’ willingness to deploy five overs of spin inside the first seven overs, without even turning to Roelof van der Merwe, immediately applied pressure on Namibia.

The early breakthrough of Louren Steenkamp, stumped off Dutt, validated the plan. Even as Jan Frylinck counterpunched to lift Namibia to 40 for 1 at the end of the powerplay, the Dutch never strayed from their method, squeezing rather than searching.

Discipline over drama in the middle overs

Namibia were offered brief reprieves, notably when Bas de Leede spilled Loftie-Eaton’s switch hit, but crucially, the Netherlands did not allow such moments to unravel their control. Timely bowling changes and match-ups ensured the momentum never truly swung.

The removal of Frylinck by Logan van Beek halted Namibia’s progress, and De Leede’s dismissal of Gerhard Erasmus just as the Namibia’s skipper threatened acceleration proved pivotal. 

Even JJ Smit’s late flourish was swiftly addressed, De Leede returning to clean him up as Namibia stumbled to a below-par 156. Only 31 runs came off the final four overs, a reflection of the Netherlands’ sustained pressure rather than any collapse.

Calm chase, De Leede at the centre

If the bowling was about control, the chase was about assurance. Michael Levitt’s brisk 28 off 15 ensured the Netherlands stayed ahead of the rate early, even though both openers fell inside the powerplay.

From there, Colin Ackermann and De Leede took ownership. Namibia’s spinners operated from both ends, but the pair negotiated the phase smartly, rotating strike and punishing errors. Ackermann rode his luck after a dropped chance before finding his range, while De Leede’s timing and shot selection stood out as the required rate steadily dipped.

Their 50-run stand wrested control completely, and even after Ackermann’s dismissal, there was no sense of panic. Edwards joined De Leede to guide the chase home with authority.

De Leede starred with an unbeaten 72 off 48 balls. The innings was measured early, assertive when needed, and ruthless at the finish. Edwards applied the finishing touches with an unbeaten 18 off nine as the Netherlands sealed victory with two overs to spare.