The Netherland vs Namibia T20I WC 2026 clash turned into a confidence-boosting night for the Dutch side as the Netherlands defeated Namibia by seven wickets in Group B of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Played at the historic Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the contest saw Netherlands bounce back strongly after an opening-match defeat, keeping their Super 8 hopes alive.
With a balanced bowling performance followed by a calm and calculated chase, Netherlands showcased why they are considered one of the most competitive associate teams in world cricket.
Match Summary: Netherland vs Namibia T20I WC 2026
| Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Netherlands vs Namibia |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Group | Group B |
| Match Number | 10 |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| Result | Netherlands won by 7 wickets |
Toss Update: Netherlands Choose to Bowl First
After winning the toss, Netherlands captain Scott Edwards opted to field, believing the Delhi pitch would assist seamers early on. The surface offered decent pace and bounce, allowing bowlers to hit the deck hard and keep batters under pressure during the powerplay.
The decision paid dividends as Namibia found it difficult to dominate the bowling attack despite a few steady partnerships.
Namibia Batting: Loftie-Eaton Leads the Resistance
Namibia, batting first, posted 156 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their 20 overs. While the total was competitive, it fell slightly short of what might have truly challenged the Dutch batting lineup.
The standout performer for Namibia was Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, who anchored the innings with a responsible knock under pressure.
Namibia Batting Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs Scored |
|---|---|
| Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton | 42 |
| Jan Frylinck | 30 |
| JJ Smit | 22 |
| Gerhard Erasmus | 18 |
| Zane Green | 9 |
| Ruben Trumpelmann | 9 |
| Others | 26 |
Despite Loftie-Eaton’s effort, Namibia lost wickets at regular intervals, preventing them from building the momentum needed in the death overs.
Netherlands Bowling: Collective Effort Pays Off
The Netherlands bowling unit delivered a disciplined performance, ensuring Namibia never fully settled at the crease. Wickets were shared across the attack, highlighting the depth and balance of the Dutch side.
Netherlands Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Runs Conceded | 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 to strike in the middle overs proved crucial, as Namibia failed to push their total beyond 160.
Chase Begins: Netherlands Target 157
Chasing 157, Netherlands began cautiously, aware of the importance of preserving wickets. After losing an early opener, the innings was stabilized through intelligent shot selection and controlled aggression.
Batting Masterclass: Bas de Leede Shines
The chase was defined by a superb innings from Bas de Leede, who played with maturity and confidence to guide his team home.
Netherlands Batting Performance
| Batsman | Runs |
|---|---|
| Bas de Leede | 72 |
| Colin Ackermann | 32 |
| Michael Levitt | 28 |
| Scott Edwards | 18 |
| Max O’Dowd | 7 |
De Leede’s knock was a blend of timing and placement rather than brute force. Supported well by Colin Ackermann, he ensured the required run rate never got out of hand.
Netherlands comfortably reached the target in 18 overs, sealing a seven-wicket victory and earning their first points of the tournament.
Namibia Bowling: Limited Breakthroughs
Namibia’s bowlers tried to keep things tight but lacked penetration during the middle phase of the innings.
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 |
While a few wickets fell, Namibia could not stop the Dutch batters from controlling the chase.
Netherlands Register First Win of T20 World Cup 2026
This victory marked Netherlands’ first success in the T20 World Cup 2026, following a narrow defeat against Pakistan in their opening match. In that earlier encounter, the Dutch side had pushed Pakistan to the limit before losing by just three wickets.
The win over Namibia puts Netherlands back on track and strengthens their position in Group B.
Head-to-Head Record: Netherlands vs Namibia (T20Is)
| Matches | Netherlands Wins | Namibia Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Netherlands continue to enjoy the upper hand in T20 encounters against Namibia.
Playing XIs
Netherlands Playing XI
Michael Levitt, Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (Captain & Wicketkeeper), 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 (Captain), JJ Smit, Zane Green (Wicketkeeper), Dylan Leicher, Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Mayberg, Bernard Scholtz, Max Hinggo
Group B Impact and What’s Next
With this result, Netherlands have opened their points tally and significantly improved their net run rate. Namibia, on the other hand, will need to reassess their strategies ahead of upcoming fixtures to stay competitive in the group.
Also read: South Africa vs Canada: South Africa Cruise to Comfortable Win in T20 World Cup 2026
Conclusion:
The Netherland vs Namibia T20I WC 2026 encounter highlighted Netherlands’ growing maturity in global tournaments. With sharp bowling, composed leadership, and a match-winning performance from Bas de Leede, the Dutch side delivered a statement win that could shape their World Cup journey.
As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 unfolds, both teams will be eager to build momentum, knowing that every match now carries massive importance.
