The Netherlands beats UAE in WCL2 opener in Amstelveen
Published at 06 May, 2025The Dutch men have won the first match of this WCL2 Series in Amstelveen against the United Arab Emirates. With 74 runs, captain Scott Edwards led his team to 272 runs as the Emirates were bowled out for 159.
In stone-cold Amstelveen, the Dutch kept Vikram Singh, Shariz Ahmad, Aryan Dutt and Fred Klaassen on the bench. The rock-solid opening of Levitt (41) and O'Dowd - the UAE won the toss - came to an end when the former mistimed a ball and hit it into the hands of the cow corner fielder (Kalyan) (85/1/19.5). A failed sweep by O'Dowd (46) resulted in a top edge and a simple catch by Jawadullah at fine leg.
Scott Edwards (74) always brings a lot of energy to the crease and played a crucial innings in the number three position - not for the first time, including a partnership of 100 with Zach Lion-Cachet (47). Four sixes from Teja Nidamanuru and Bas de Leede determined the final score at 272/7.
UAE innings
Opening batsman Aryansh Sharma was dropped at long leg on 13 with the overall score on 17. One over later, his partner Kalyan - then on 4 - was also dropped. One ball later, however, slipfielder Noah Croes picked up the catching opportunity and it was 25/1. The new man Aravind immediately gave away a catching opportunity as well, which was also not taken: three chances down within six overs. This miss was not expensive, as Kingma Aravind cleaned with absolute beauty (27/2/6).
It became 56/3 in the twelfth over when Chopra had no answer to the extra pace of Paul van Meekeren, who was now involved in the attack. Moments later, 'PvM' – bowling strongly with 3-24 - also signed for the wicket of the 20-year-old Sharma (42) on the last ball before the drinks break (72/4/16).
On 96/4/21, UAE was certainly not without a chance, but Bas de Leede punished a hesitant Waseem with a run out (97/5). The 22-year-old Alishan Sharafu (57) reached his half century, but was caught on the legside boundary by Teja Nidamanuru (129/6).
Thanks to the economical Van der Merwe (0-21 in six overs), the requested run rate rose quickly. With the late middle order and the tail, the Emirates were unable to accomplish that task. Kyle Klein (2-43) and Zach Lion-Cachet (1-4) dismissed the tail.
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