The Netherlands opened their ICC World Twenty20 2014 campaign with a comfortable six-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates at Sylhet Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Chasing 152, the Dutch reached a relatively easy target with seven balls remaining, with opening batsman Stephan Myburgh leading the way with a composed 36-ball 55.
Tom Cooper (34 not out) and Ben Cooper (six not out) were unbeaten at the end as the Netherlands faced very little trouble overhauling the UAE’s accumulation of 151 all out.
The Dutch openers – Myburgh and Michael Swart (26 off 16 balls) – gave their side the perfect start, putting on 69 runs inside the seventh over.
One-down batsman Wesley Barresi (24 off 21 balls) continued the good work of the openers, and Tom Cooper and Ben Cooper finished things off.
The UAE’s Kamran Shazad took 2-19 but none of the other bowlers threatened as the Netherlands eased to their target.
Earlier, Ahsan Malik (3-16) starred with the ball, and he was ably supported by Tom Cooper (2-18) as the UAE were all out for 151 in 19.5 overs.
Timm van der Gugten (2-24) also chipped in as the Dutch bowlers were able to stop the UAE from posting a big total on the board.
UAE skipper Khurram Khan (31 off 25 balls) and Shaiman Anwar (32 off 19 balls) made sure they had a fighting score to defend.
-With New Age input
