The Netherlands chased a 119-run target against the United Arab Emirates in a nail-biter contest of the qualifying round in the T20 World Cup in Geelong, Australia.
The Dutch chased the target in the final over of the game with one ball to spare.
UAE’s Muhammad Waseem remained the top scorer with 41 runs in 47 balls, hitting two sixes and a four. Vriitya Aravind and Kashif Daud help their side to reach 119-run target against the Netherlands.
Netherlands Bas de Leede was the top wicket-taker for his side. He got three scalps for 19 runs in three overs. Fred Klaassen picked two while Roelof van der Merwe and Tim Pringle picked one wicket each.
United Arab Emirates skipper Chundangapoyil Rizwan won the toss and chose to bat against the Netherlands in the second match of the opening day of the T20 World Cup at Geelong on Sunday.
Namibia registered a shock win over Sri Lanka in the opening match and Rizwan said batting looked the better option after the Asia Cup winners were all out for 108 chasing the African side’s 163-7.
“It’s slightly tougher to chase given the way the first match turned out,” Rizwan said.
“Trying to take it one match at a time. Enjoying the challenge. Want to make a good impact in the tournament.”
Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards said he would have bowled first had he won the toss.
“Perfect. We were going to bowl,” said Edwards. “Happy days. The team is feeling great. We’re good to go and excited for this first game. We’ve got three or four guys that have played a lot of cricket in Australia.”
The teams will each play three first-round matches in their attempt to make the Super 12 stage.
Netherlands: Max O’Dowd, Vikramjit Singh, Bas de Leede, Tom Cooper, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (capt), Roelof van der Merwe, Tim Pringle, Logan van Beek, Fred Klaassen, Paul van Meekeren
United Arab Emirates Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind, Chundangapoyil Rizwan (capt), Basil Hameed, Zawar Farid, Aayan Afzal Khan, Kashif Daud, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Zahoor Khan
