Netherlands (120/5) defeat Zimbabwe (117) by 5 wickets in their Group 2 Clash

[Ab Fan]

Fair to say that Pakistan are a superior team than Zimbabwe and Netherland as per today's showing by Zimbabwe.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

it seems zimbabwe only came here to knock out pakistan

 

[Major]

Instead of cursing muqaddar ka sikandar Raza praying for rain etc.. pak fans would love to have him in there team. Pak have to drop the likes of Kushdil asif Ifty Masood but there are no replacements!!

nope, would never have this 36 year old whose bowling avg touches 50+. Even his batting has become a joke.

he should stay in Zimbabwe team and stay as the Andho ka kaana Raja

 

[Sunny_majoka]

why zimbabwe why, why you did that to Pakistan

 

[boomboomcheema]

it seems zimbabwe only came here to knock out pakistan

All minnows fancy their chances against Pakistan more than a win against fellow minnows.

 

[Hectic]

it seems zimbabwe only came here to knock out pakistan

Do you blame them? Pakistan deserve it after the Fake Bean scandal.

 

[Sherazkhalid]

Are they going to get 2 runs or not.

 

[light]

why zimbabwe why, why you did that to Pakistan

Don't count your chickens yet, you guys still have a banana peel match against ban (semi or not - pride matters).

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Do you blame them? Pakistan deserve it after the Fake Bean scandal.

whats the fake bean scandal have to do with a cricket match

 

[emranabbas]

Nethland trying to do a pakistsn here

 

[light]

Congratulations NED, you did well!

 

[Sherazkhalid]

That took long enough, I guess both Ned and Zim are knocked out.

 

[Sherazkhalid]

Zim had the easiest way to Semis, they blew it big time.

 

[boomboomcheema]

Zimbabwe never had any quality to be able to qualify for he Semis. Just got lucky and got a point against SA from a washed out match and off course made to look like a decent side by Pakistan. Their real capability has been exposed in the last two matches against Bangladesh and Dutch.

More shame on Pakistan for losing to this side.

 

[Sherazkhalid]

Now for miracle that ain't happening. India letting us down in two games in a row

 

[Suleiman]

Dutch beating Zim makes the loss to Zim even more humiliating.

 

[Rafa]

Very satisfying to see Zim lose. I will hate them forever for spoiling Pakistan's party.

 

[GreenBee]

Zim played their part in this WC, very happy with them.

 

[Sarwar89]

Very satisfying to see Zim lose. I will hate them forever for spoiling Pakistan's party.

In 2007 Ireland spoiled Inzamam’s party.

 

[Hectic]

whats the fake bean scandal have to do with a cricket match

They were insulted and took it personally. Therefore they were extra desperate for a result against Pak.

 

[Raja111]

Very satisfying to see Zim lose. I will hate them forever for spoiling Pakistan's party.

You should hate Pakistan instead for spoiling your party!

 

[MenInG]

Current point table:

 

[SpiritOf1903]

What does that say about Pakistan...

 

[MenInG]

The Netherlands have ended Zimbabwe's hopes of reaching the semi-finals at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup by clinching a five-wicket victory over the African side in Adelaide on Wednesday.


Dutch delight

The Dutch have already produced many highlights this tournament, but their efforts against Zimbabwe may have been close to their most complete performance thus far as they cruised to victory on Adelaide Oval.

Paul van Meekeren (3/29) and fellow seamer Bas de Leede (2/13) were the pick of the bowlers as Zimbabwe were all out from 117 in their final over, and their run chase was a mere procession as they found the victory target with ease.

Max O'Dowd (52 off 47) and Tom Cooper (32 off 29) were the mainstays of the chase as they combined to put on 73 for the second wicket as the Netherlands eased to their first win of the Super 12 stage with two overs remaining.


A tale of two tournaments

O'Dowd has been of the most impressive performers of the T20 World Cup thus far, with the Netherlands opener having amassed the most runs of anyone at the tournament thus far with 213 runs from seven innings.

Cooper's T20 World Cup had been in complete contrast leading into Wednesday's match, with the Australia-born veteran having scored just 40 runs from six knocks prior to the clash.

But batting on a ground he would have had plenty of experience playing on with Australian domestic side South Australia, Cooper showed his class with a valuable knock at the top of the order.


Raza fires, but where is the support cast?

Veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza played a lone hand for the African side, with the 36-year-old smashing a quickfire 40 from just 24 deliveries to provide some momentum for Zimbabwe through the middle overs.

But Fred Klaassen held on to a good to a good catch in the outfield when Raza was attempting to hit his fourth six as wickets continued to fall in quick succession.

Experienced batter Sean Williams (28) was the only other Zimbabwe player to score in double figures and their total was well below par on a wicket that appeared good for batting.


Where to now?

The loss ends Zimbabwe’s chances of featuring in the semi-finals at the tournament, with Craig Ervine's side now needing to regroup ahead of a difficult match-up against India in Melbourne on Sunday.

While the Dutch were already out of semi-final contention heading into Wednesday's match, they will get the chance to make it consecutive victories to end the tournament when they take on South Africa in Adelaide on Sunday.

ICC

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[sweep_shot]

Hard to believe Zimbabwe couldn't beat Netherlands.

This was an upset.