NEW DELHI: Bas de Leede led from the front with a composed unbeaten 72 as the Netherlands stayed in contention for a Super 8 spot with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Namibia in their Group A match of the T20 World Cup in New Delhi on Tuesday. The win helped the Dutch bounce back strongly after their narrow defeat to Pakistan.

The Netherlands bowlers set the platform with a disciplined effort, keeping Namibia to 156 for 8 on a pitch that offered good value for shots. Despite a brief recovery in the middle overs, Namibia struggled to build sustained momentum.

Playing their first match of the tournament, Namibia looked short of match practice at times. Having last featured in a T20I during their dramatic win over South Africa in October 2025, they took time to settle into the contest.

Jan Frylinck and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership after early wickets, while JJ Smit added some late impetus with a brisk cameo. However, Namibia were unable to produce a strong finish and had to settle for a below-par total.

In response, the Netherlands made light work of the chase. Opener Max O'Dowd gave them early momentum before de Leede and Colin Ackermann ensured there were no hiccups, guiding the team home comfortably with plenty of overs to spare.

Though the stands were sparsely filled with India not in action, the contest between the two associate sides delivered competitive and entertaining cricket.

Netherlands next play the USA in Chennai on Friday while Namibia have a tough test against hosts India at the same venue on Thursday.

The Dutch, who had lost to Pakistan in Colombo after dictating terms for large parts of the match, showed far greater composure this time. After losing Max O'Dowd (7) early, Levitt provided early momentum with a brisk innings before falling in the powerplay.

Ackermann steadied the innings with a fluent 32, forging a vital stand with Bas de Leede.

De Leede anchored the chase with a measured knock off 48 balls, mixing caution with aggression. He hit nine boundaries, including four sixes.

Skipper Scott Edwards finished things off in style, scoring an unbeaten 18, as the Netherlands reached 159 for three in 18 overs. Namibia's bowlers struggled to contain the Dutch middle order once the platform was set.

Earlier, the Dutch set the tone early. Pacer Logan van Beek (2/13) hit the deck hard with the new ball, while off-spinner Aryan Dutt (1/13) bowled a probing, miserly spell that choked the scoring.

Dutt provided the first breakthrough when he lured Nikolaas Davin Steenkamp (6) down the track. Steenkamp walked forward to negate the spin but missed the line and length completely, allowing Scott Edwards to complete a sharp stumping.

The Netherlands largely controlled the powerplay, conceding just 29 runs in the first five overs. Namibia managed only one maximum in that phase, Frylinck briefly breaking the shackles by pulling Klaassen for six.

Seeing the impact Dutt was making, Dutch skipper Edwards introduced Colin Ackermann, but the off-break bowler was handled confidently. Loftie-Eatonm (40) hammered him straight down the ground for six, while Frylinck followed up with a crisp cover drive for four.

The pair added a valuable 50-run stand, but with runs still at a premium, van Beek returned to break it, inducing Frylinck to edge behind.

Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus, fresh at the crease, then provided the spark the innings needed. He unfurled a fluent display against Tim van der Gugten, creaming 16 runs from one over to push Namibia past 100 in the 13th.

Edwards responded with smart captaincy, rotating his bowlers, mixing pace and spin, and using as many as eight bowling options to prevent momentum from building.

The Netherlands needed Loftie-Eaton to bat deep, and van Beek delivered again, removing the set batter to redeem himself after his expensive penultimate over against Pakistan earlier in the tournament.

JJ Smit (22) briefly threatened a late surge, lofting Roelof van der Merwe for back-to-back sixes, but Bas de Leede cut short the cameo, clipping the bail with a quicker delivery. Without a final flourish, Namibia were forced to settle for a below-par total, one the Netherlands will back themselves to chase.

(With PTI Inputs)