Netherlands beat Zimbabwe for consolation win at T20 World Cup

Paul van Meekeren's three wickets helped the Netherlands claim their first victory of the T20 World Cup Super 12 stage Wednesday as their five-wicket win all but eliminated Zimbabwe.

Scorecard

The Dutch, who are already out of the semi-final race, bowled out Zimbabwe for 117 in 19.2 overs at the Adelaide Oval and, led by Max O'Dowd's 52, achieved their target by reaching 120-5 with 12 balls to spare.

Zimbabwe, who just have a one win from their four matches, need a mathematical miracle to make the semi-finals as one of the top two teams in Group 2, currently led by South Africa who next play Pakistan on Thursday.

A good performance from Netherlands to seal a victory against Zimbabwe in Adelaide ??#T20WorldCup | #ZIMvNED | ??: https://t.co/YYZiU8BZwC pic.twitter.com/Zn5OlpUeDH

O'Dowd and Tom Cooper, who made 32, put on a second-wicket stand of 73 to guide the team home as the fans poured in for the evening match of the Adelaide double-header between India and Bangladesh.

Stephan Myburgh fell to Blessing Muzarabani for eight in the fourth over before O'Dowd and Cooper began to score freely chasing a modest 118-run target.

Luke Jongwe had Cooper caught out to end a 29-ball knock, which included two fours and a six.

O'Dowd raised his fifty with two straight boundaries but soon got out to Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava sent back skipper Scott Edwards but Bas de Leede stood firm to hit the winning four.

The Netherlands bowled out Zimbabwe, who elected to bat first, in 19.2 overs despite a 24-ball 40 by the in-form Sikandar Raza.

Van Meekeren bowled Wesley Madhevere for one with the batsman playing all over a fast and straight delivery.

The quicks kept up the pressure with disciplined bowling and Brandon Glover got Zimbabwe skipper Craig