Netherlands Secure First T20 World Cup Victory as Bas de Leede Stars in Seven-Wicket Win Over Namibia

Netherlands registered their first victory of the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup with a commanding seven-wicket win over Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday, February 10. All-rounder Bas de Leede delivered a stellar performance, scoring an unbeaten 72 and earning Player of the Match honors as the Dutch chased down Namibia's total of 156/8 with consummate ease, finishing at 159/3 in just 18 overs.

De Leede's innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Coming to the crease with Netherlands needing to accelerate their chase, the all-rounder took command with a mix of powerful hitting and intelligent shot selection. His unbeaten 72 represented the joint-highest individual score for Netherlands at a men's T20 World Cup, equaling a tournament record for the Dutch. He received excellent support from captain Scott Edwards, who contributed a steady 18 not out as the pair guided Netherlands home without further alarms.

Namibia had earlier posted 156/8 from their 20 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat first. The African side struggled to build substantial partnerships against disciplined Dutch bowling. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton was the pick of Namibia's bowlers with figures of 1/31 from his four overs, but the total proved insufficient against Netherlands' strong batting lineup. The chase never looked in serious doubt once de Leede found his rhythm in the middle overs.

The victory keeps Netherlands' hopes alive in Group A of the T20 World Cup 2026, a competitive group that also features India, Pakistan, and the United States. After a disappointing start to their campaign, this comprehensive win provides momentum and confidence as they look ahead to their remaining fixtures. De Leede's all-round capabilities will be crucial to Netherlands' chances of progressing to the knockout stages.

For Namibia, the defeat compounds their struggles in the tournament. The African minnows have found the step up in quality challenging against Full Member nations. They will need to regroup quickly and find improved performances with both bat and ball if they are to register their first points of the competition. The T20 World Cup continues with matches scheduled across multiple Indian venues, as teams battle for qualification to the Super 8 stage.