4.08pm A good toss to lose for Netherlands, you'd have to think, with the target being less than 120. They're the happier of the two sides, most definitely, on the way back. Pride at stake for Netherlands, tournament at stake for Zimbabwe.
As for Zimbabwe's batting, nine of their 11 batters had single-digit scores. Raza's 28-ball 40 was a breath of fresh air while Williams' 28 was more of an anchoring innings while trying to help the team recover.
The Dutch seamers dominated today with their new-ball swing, middle-over control and death-overs slower balls. We'll be back with the chase shortly - if you're a neutral, then you'd also be keen to see how this pitch plays with India v Bangladesh happening next!
Bas de Leede talks to the broadcasters and says that the new-ball impact was key for Netherlands today. He expects this total to be chased down, but wants his side to have that one big partnership that can shepherd this chase through.
Kabir: "Let's be very honest- Sikander Reza single-handedly is carrying Zimbabwe on his shoulder, with some support from Blessing Muzzarbani, and Sean Williams with minor contributions here and there! It's a team game unless a majority of guys are contributing- the results would eventually start sliding down once the tournament reaches the business area!"
Arjun: "Its quite clear by now, that NED's weakness is their batting and ZIM's strength is their bowling"
Saurabh: "Zimbabwe was able to defent 130 odd runs against top fancied Pakistan. They are capable of defending 120 odd runs against Netherlands."
B Muzarabani c Glover b van Beek 1 (9m 4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 25.00
Last over of the innings. Just wondering if both India and Bangladesh management are watching this game in the hotel/team bus.
END OF OVER:19 | 5 Runs | ZIM: 116/9 | RR: 6.10
- Blessing Muzarabani1 (3b)
- Tendai Chatara5 (6b)
- Bas de Leede4-0-14-2
- Fred Klaassen4-0-17-1
Raghu: "Why you people are thinking that match is over and zim lost it. They can still win with this runs. Thier biggest strength is bowling and fielding "
Kamlesh Patil: "For me they need to field way better and keep the intensity for full 20 overs, against Ban the fielding and low intensity cost them." -- Correct. Defendable total with regular dismissals.
Nik: "Van Meekeren has been so good this tournament " -- That height + these pitches = high ceiling for success
END OF OVER:18 | 9 Runs 1 Wkt | ZIM: 111/9 | RR: 6.16
- Blessing Muzarabani0 (1b)
- Tendai Chatara1 (2b)
- Fred Klaassen4-0-17-1
- Bas de Leede3-0-9-2
Abhinav: "Don't write Zimbabweans off. After all they defended 130 against Pak. Anything around 120 they are in it."
Curse of the nelson there. Klaassen for his final delivery.
R Ngarava c Myburgh b Klaassen 9 (12m 7b 0x4 1x6) SR: 128.57
Prasanna S: "One day Zimbabwe beat Australia (in the ODI series) another day Pak and somehow they flatter to deceive like this. Don't know why is it the case of few individual brilliance that makes them win, they need to show consistency if they were to be rated high not pulling a one off upset here and there." -- I think that Bangladesh defeat deflated him.
END OF OVER:17 | 4 Runs 1 Wkt | ZIM: 102/8 | RR: 6.00
- Richard Ngarava1 (2b)
- Tendai Chatara1 (2b)
- Bas de Leede3-0-9-2
- Paul van Meekeren4-0-29-3
Gagan Sharma: "What is weather condition there as i concerned about ind vs ban encounter. Pls reply" -- Cloudy but dry.
Brendan JD: "In the words of parents throughout the world, but this time directed at Zimbabwe...... I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed.*sigh*They tried to bully Netherlands and have been squarely sized up. If you want to play finals, you have to take your ego out of it. To paraphrase someone or other, "Their anger was hot so "
Zubair Islam : "Let's support Netherlands for their first super 12 win today they really deserve it"
LM Jongwe c van Beek b de Leede 6 (12m 8b 0x4 0x6) SR: 75.00
Nayeem: "You can't have any guess about IPL auction, what the franchises thinks it solely depends upon them."
Sharan: "The thing with IPL is that it's very 'cut throat'. Morgan found no buyers, Roy was sold cheap - these are just a few, so Raza might not get a high bid, or at most even if he gets bought at base price won't get many chances to make an impact. If he does get a chance and if he grabs it - then the story is different.."
Four overs to go. Netherlands will want to get Zimbabwe all out for sure. Moral victory if they can do so.
END OF OVER:16 | 3 Runs 1 Wkt | ZIM: 98/7 | RR: 6.12
- Luke Jongwe5 (6b)
- Paul van Meekeren4-0-29-3
- Bas de Leede2-0-6-1
Afeef: "Surely Sikandar Raza will be picked this time. And also Rilee Rossouw. Both have been performing consistently for years but now they're getting their deserved recognition." -- Would love to also see Josh Little, Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector (all from Ireland) get a contract, even if they don't end up with game time.
RP Burl b van Meekeren 2 (19m 7b 0x4 0x6) SR: 28.57
sudesh: "May I know if Ind- Ban match would be played on same pitch?" -- Yes, it will.