T10: 'The Italians can’t beat you...'
Published at 11 October, 2022...'But you can still lose against them', Johan Cruyff once said. The Netherlands A bellied this wisdom of the Oracle of Barcelona by clinically defeating the Azzurri: 116/9 – 117/2.
The place of action was again the Cartama Oval in Malaga, where the Netherlands A plays in the 10-over competition of the Dream11 European Cricket Championship.
Italy had a super Powerplay of 43-0 in the first three overs. Immediately afterwards, however, both left arm spinners Floyd and Nashier struck and moments later also legspinner Saqib Zulfiqar. The fall of all these wickets greatly reduced the runrate of the Italians from more than 14 to about eleven per over, although Pidusha Fernando was the exception to the rule with 31 off 12 balls. Italy, initially on course for a 140+ score, finished at 'only' 116/9. Udit Nashier took 3-12 in his two overs, Clayton Floyd 3-20, Saqib Zulfiqar 2-13. Keeper Rata Alphonse took two catches.
Innings Netherlands
Clayton Floyd and Musa Ahmad gave the Orange another lightning fast start. After the departure of Floyd (11), Musa took off on the moderate Italian attack, especially after he was dropped on the boundary on 34. The Powerplay went for 59 runs, sixteen runs more than Italy. On 71, Musa was dropped again, but by then the win was almost in the bag for the Dutch. Musa made a memorable 75 not out off 25 balls (5x4, 8x6) out of a total of 117/2.
Photo: European Cricket / Diana Oros
