In the morning sun at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, the Netherlands produced a solid performance to beat Namibia by 7 wickets in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The Dutch reached their target in just 18 overs, with Bas de Leede leading the charge in a chase that rarely looked under pressure.
Namibia posted 156 for 8, with Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton top-scoring for the team. But when the Dutch came out to chase, De Leede put on something of a masterclass. He made 72 off 48 balls, pacing the chase smartly and making sure the scoreboard kept moving. Colin Ackermann chipped in with a useful 32, and before long the Dutch had put the game to bed with a dozen balls remaining.
It wasn’t just big hitting; smart running and crisp shots helped the Netherlands get over the line without the tension that often characterises a T20 finish. For fans in Delhi, it looked like a clinic in how to chase a modest total without blinking.
This win boosts the Dutch position in Group A, where a few early points can make a big difference to who moves on to the Super Eight stage. It’s an encouraging sign for the Netherlands, who earlier in the tournament nearly shocked Pakistan before losing by a narrow margin.
Today isn’t just about this one game, though. The T20 World Cup schedule is stacked: there are three matches on Tuesday, 10 February, with Netherlands vs Namibia in Delhi, New Zealand vs UAE in Chennai, and Pakistan vs USA in Colombo.
The New Zealand game promises an interesting contest between two contrasting sides, while Pakistan and the United States could be a high-octane clash under lights later tonight.
For now, though, it’s the Netherlands who are celebrating. Bas de Leede’s innings combined logic and flair — the kind of batting that makes T20 chases look easier than they are — and ensured a satisfying result for Oranje fans.