Netherlands have qualified for the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, after dramatically defeating Scotland in a pivotal qualifying clash in Zimbabwe.
Batting first, Scotland notched 277/9 in 50 overs. Netherlands needed to chase the target in 44 overs to overhaul Scotland's run-rate and qualify for the World Cup. They did so in 42.5 overs.
The Dutch, however, pulled off an astonishing entry into the World Cup by completing the run chase in 42.5 overs courtesy of a brisk century by de Leede.
The all-rounder smashed seven boundaries and five sixes on his way to top score for the Netherlands with a 92-ball 123.
Netherlands had a cautious start to the run chase and they were 72/2 in the 15th over when de Leede walked into bat.
The right-handed batter spearheaded Netherlands’ pursuit and stitched brief partnerships with Wesley Barresi (11), Teja Nidamanuru (10) and skipper Scott Edwards 25 before finally received subtle support at the other end in the form of Saqib Zulfiqar.
The duo then stitched a match-defining partnership for the sixth wicket and added 113 runs in 69 deliveries to put their side in complete command. Bas de Leede got run out in the 43rd over when his side needed only two more runs.
Zulfiqar, on the other hand, carried his bat all the way through and remained unbeaten with a 32-ball 33 which featured three boundaries and a six.
Hello, #CWC23 ??? pic.twitter.com/jGYdAmruv0
— ICC (@ICC) July 6, 2023
Put into bat first, Scotland raised a decent total of 276/9 in the allotted 50 overs.
Top-order batter Brandon McMullen was the star for Scotland with the bat as he scored an anchoring century. He scored 106 off 110 balls, laced up with 11 boundaries and three sixes.
Skipper Richie Berrington also played a cautious 64-run knock from 84 deliveries. Tomas Mackintosh’s brisk 38-run cameo at the backend lifted Scotland to a commendable total, which in the end, turned out insufficient for their bowlers to defend.
Bas de Leede was the hero for the Netherlands with the ball also as he returned with 5/52 in his 10 overs. Ryan Klein bagged two wickets while Logan van Beek made one scalp.
Sri Lanka have already booked their place, while World Cup Qualifier hosts Zimbabwe missed a huge opportunity after losing to Scotland on Tuesday.
