The Netherlands beat South Africa in the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup on Sunday, keeping the hopes of Pakistan and Bangladesh alive in the mega event. The Asian teams would play next and the winner of the match would join India in the semi-finals from Group 2.
The Dutch won by 13 runs in a match that was crucial for the Temba Bavuma-led side to secure a position in the semi-finals from Group 2. With the result of this match, India automatically qualifies for the semi-finals, joining England and New Zealand from Group 1.
The Group 2 standing shows that India have six points with +0.730 net run rate and one match yet to be played against Zimbabwe, followed by South Africa with four points with a net run rate of +0.874. Pakistan stand in third position with four points and a net run rate of +1.117, followed by Netherlands and Bangladesh–the Lions also have four points but a low run rate.
The Netherlands had set a 158-run target for South Africa at the Adelaide Oval Stadium, with Colin Ackermann’s important knock. He made 41 off 26 deliveries and was crowned player of the match.
“It is a fantastic feeling and we deserve this victory. We have worked really hard for this,” Ackermann said after receiving the award. “The pitch was slow and there was a bit of turn, but the plan was to take the game deep, and luckily the boundaries flowed at the end.”
Bavuma, the losing skipper, said that he was disappointed with the result of the match in which none of their batters, could help the side get over the line. In the end, they were reliant on David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen.
“We were playing well tell now and it was a game we should have won but it was a tough one to swallow,” Bavuma said.
The right-handed batter said that his side was under par and they once again kept losing wickets at the wrong times.
Scott Edwards, the victorious captain, said that he was lost for words after their first-ever win against Proteas in any format.
“We are quite used to such conditions in Netherlands and credit goes to the boys for the way they played. I am pleased we managed to end the tournament on a high and secured qualification for the next World Cup.”
