The Netherlands will aim to combine batting firepower with bowling discipline when they take on the United States in a crucial Group A clash of the T20 World Cup on Friday, with their Super Eights hopes hanging in the balance.

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After suffering a narrow defeat to Pakistan in their opener, the Dutch bounced back strongly against Namibia. Chasing 157, they secured a comfortable seven-wicket win with two overs to spare to remain in contention for the next stage.

All-rounder Bas de Leede has been pivotal to their campaign. He anchored the chase against Namibia with a fluent 72 not out at a strike rate of 150 and earlier picked up two key wickets, including captain Gerhard Erasmus, to shift the momentum.

While the Netherlands boast explosive options at the top, their middle and lower order remain a concern. That vulnerability was evident against Pakistan, when they collapsed from 123/4 in the 15th over to 147 all out, losing six wickets for just 24 runs.

Max O’Dowd, known for his aggressive stroke-play, has endured a quiet start to the tournament with scores of 5 and 7, and will be keen to rediscover form.

Now appearing in their seventh T20 World Cup, the Dutch have matured into a competitive outfit and will back their depth in bowling — especially at the death — to challenge an American side still searching for its first win.

The USA have impressed with the ball but struggled with the bat and in the field. Against India, they had the opposition reeling at 77/6 before dropping Suryakumar Yadav on 17. He went on to hammer an unbeaten 84, lifting India to 161/9. The USA could only respond with 132/8.

Shadley van Schalkwyk has been effective in the powerplay, while leg-spinner Mohammad Mohsin and left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh have applied pressure in the middle overs.

However, the top order must step up. Captain Monank Patel has scores of 0 and 3 so far, while wicketkeeper-opener Andries Gous has managed 6 and 13.

Gous, who starred in the previous home World Cup and holds the ILT20 record for the highest individual score (120 not out for Desert Vipers), remains key to USA’s revival.

The Americans will also hope that pace spearhead Ali Khan has recovered from a niggle, as his absence proved costly against Pakistan.

Squads (from):

Netherlands:
Scott Edwards (c), Colin Ackermann, Noah Croes, Bas de Leede, Aryan Dutt, Fred Klaassen, Kyle Klein, Michael Levitt, Zach Lion-Cachet, Max O'Dowd, Logan van Beek, Timm van der Gugten, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren, Saqib Zulfiqar.

USA:
Monank Patel (c), Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane.

Match starts at 7 pm IST.