Dubai, October 21, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Netherlands go into Friday’s final Group A ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 clash against Sri Lanka aiming to finish the tournament with a bang after slipping to an early exit.
After losing to Namibia by six wickets last time out the Dutch could only watch on as Ireland’s defeat to Sri Lanka ended their chances of making the Super 12s.
Following David Wiese’s heroics against the Netherlands, Namibia will face Ireland in a straight shoot-out to see who progresses from Group A alongside Sri Lanka, who are already assured of their spot in the next round after two wins from two.
The former South Africa all-rounder smashed 66 not out from just 40 balls which was enough to take his side home despite Dutch skipper Pieter Seelaar bowling a wicket maiden to at one stage restrict Namibia to 52 for three, chasing 165 to win.
The Netherlands will hope to find some form in their final outing at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium after underperforming in the defeats to Ireland and Namibia.
Opening batter Stephan Myburgh admitted his side have failed to deliver their best cricket at the World Cup.
He said: “Unfortunately, we haven’t played very good cricket at this World Cup.
“I think we were below par in both games. Against Namibia maybe in our bowling, in the previous game in our batting, so we couldn’t put it together, and it just cost us.”
The Netherlands were bundled out for just 106 in their opening fixture against Ireland, a total that Myburgh concedes was always going to be hard to defend.
Speaking after the Namibia loss, he added: “The previous game, unfortunately, we lost a wicket with a run out second ball, and then four wickets in four balls, you’re always going to struggle to get back from there.
“The boys did a good job there, but you’re never going to defend 105 or 107, whatever it was.”
One bright spark for the men in orange has been the form of batter Max O’Dowd who clubbed consecutive half-centuries in losing causes and will look to make it a hat-trick against a dangerous Sri Lankan attack.
“Max is obviously a tremendous cricket player, and he’s been the key for Netherlands cricket the last couple of years, and he showed it again in these two games,” added Myburgh.
“That’s definitely something we talked about, we haven’t been able to rotate the strike as much as we would have liked.”
After a convincing 70-run win over Ireland and comfortable seven-wicket triumph over Namibia, Sri Lanka will look to maintain their 100 percent record after becoming the first team to qualify for the Super 12s, knowing that victory would clinch top spot in Group A and a place in Group 1 in the next round.
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