Netherlands Edge Closer To T20 World Cup Super 12s With Tense Namibia Win

Bas de Leede took two wickets and made an unbeaten 30 as the Netherlands took a giant step towards the Twenty20 World Cup Super 12 on Tuesday with a tense five-wicket victory over giant-killing Namibia. At a sun-soaked but near-empty Kardinia Park in Geelong the African nation were restricted to 121-6 in their 20 overs, with the Dutch using seven different bowlers to put the clamps on. De Leede was the best of the bunch, taking 2-18, complemented by outstanding fielding.

The Europeans, boosted by former South Africa and India coach Gary Kirsten on their coaching staff, were cruising at 91-1 in the 14th over in reply before Namibia took four late wickets to set up a nervous finale.

The Netherlands needed six runs off the last over, with De Leede the hero, hitting a boundary then two to secure the win with three balls left.   

"We lost wickets at bad times, we can't afford to do that and we can learn from that as a team," said De Leede.

"But the self-belief has always been there and it's nice to win two tight games. Maybe it opens up a bit more freedom for the boys."

It was a huge victory against a team that sent shockwaves around the cricketing world with a stunning 55-run triumph over Asian champions Sri Lanka on Sunday on day one of the World Cup in Australia.

The Netherlands beat the United Arab Emirates on the same day by three wickets and with two wins from two they will progress to the Super 12 if the UAE upset Sri Lanka later Tuesday.

They have made the second stage once before, in 2014, when they topped their group and then sensationally beat England.

"Never nice to be on the losing side when it's so close," said Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus.

"We put a good show in the field. With the bat, it seemed difficult