Triple Dutch
Five great World T20 performances by Associate teams (Netherlands mainly)
Peter Della Penna
27-Feb-2016
Nepal defeat Hong Kong by 80 runs (2014)
Underpinned by a pair of 40s from the captain, Paras Khadka, and vice-captain Gyanendra Malla, Nepal made 149 for 8 after being sent in on a steamy night in Chittagong. In the end, it was Hong Kong's line-up that wilted in the heat. The talismanic Khadka struck on the first ball of the chase before the left-arm spin tandem of Shakti Gauchan and Basant Regmi shredded the middle order for five wickets in the space of 13 balls to help secure a famous win for cricket-mad Nepal on World T20 debut.
Underpinned by a pair of 40s from the captain, Paras Khadka, and vice-captain Gyanendra Malla, Nepal made 149 for 8 after being sent in on a steamy night in Chittagong. In the end, it was Hong Kong's line-up that wilted in the heat. The talismanic Khadka struck on the first ball of the chase before the left-arm spin tandem of Shakti Gauchan and Basant Regmi shredded the middle order for five wickets in the space of 13 balls to help secure a famous win for cricket-mad Nepal on World T20 debut.
Netherlands defeat England by 45 runs (2014)
After putting a major scare into South Africa before falling short by six runs, the Dutch would not be denied a Full Member scalp in their final match of the tournament. After a typically fiery start from Stephan Myburgh and Wesley Barresi, a middle-order stumble resulted in a modest total of 133. England stuttered in reply after Mudassar Bukhari struck twice in the Powerplay, and a suffocating fielding display produced two run-outs, including a fittingly comical mix-up to end the match.
After putting a major scare into South Africa before falling short by six runs, the Dutch would not be denied a Full Member scalp in their final match of the tournament. After a typically fiery start from Stephan Myburgh and Wesley Barresi, a middle-order stumble resulted in a modest total of 133. England stuttered in reply after Mudassar Bukhari struck twice in the Powerplay, and a suffocating fielding display produced two run-outs, including a fittingly comical mix-up to end the match.
Ireland defeat Bangladesh by six wickets (2009)
Niall O'Brien, who led Ireland's thrilling chase over Pakistan at the 2007 World Cup, took centre stage here in pursuit of Bangladesh's 137 at Trent Bridge with 40 off 25 balls. After he fell in the tenth over at 61 for 2, little big brother Kevin gave a preview of the career-defining century he would produce against England two years later, smashing an unbeaten 39 off 17 balls, including a pair of big sixes against Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan, as Ireland cantered across the line with ten balls to spare.
Niall O'Brien, who led Ireland's thrilling chase over Pakistan at the 2007 World Cup, took centre stage here in pursuit of Bangladesh's 137 at Trent Bridge with 40 off 25 balls. After he fell in the tenth over at 61 for 2, little big brother Kevin gave a preview of the career-defining century he would produce against England two years later, smashing an unbeaten 39 off 17 balls, including a pair of big sixes against Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan, as Ireland cantered across the line with ten balls to spare.
Netherlands defeat England by four wickets (2009)
Despite a roaring start, England failed to hit a boundary off the final 17 balls, ending on 162 to leave the door ajar in the tournament curtain-raiser, at Lord's. Tom de Grooth pried it open further with an adventurous 49 off 30, and in the end, two were needed off the final delivery to win. Stuart Broad had a chance to deny them after a diving stop in his follow-through, but a hurried shy on his knees from eight yards away summed up a sloppy England fielding display, as the final pair scampered the winning run on an overthrow.
Despite a roaring start, England failed to hit a boundary off the final 17 balls, ending on 162 to leave the door ajar in the tournament curtain-raiser, at Lord's. Tom de Grooth pried it open further with an adventurous 49 off 30, and in the end, two were needed off the final delivery to win. Stuart Broad had a chance to deny them after a diving stop in his follow-through, but a hurried shy on his knees from eight yards away summed up a sloppy England fielding display, as the final pair scampered the winning run on an overthrow.
Netherlands defeat Ireland by six wickets (2014)
Following their win over Zimbabwe, Ireland's march into the ten-team main draw seemed assured when they made 189. For Netherlands to qualify ahead of Ireland on net-run-rate tiebreaker, they needed to get to the target in 14.2 overs, an idea so preposterous that Ireland captain William Porterfield wasn't informed about it until the ambush was nearly complete. Peter Borren promoted himself to open the chase and, along with Stephan Myburgh, initiated a fearless charge, nailing the win with three balls of breathing room.
Following their win over Zimbabwe, Ireland's march into the ten-team main draw seemed assured when they made 189. For Netherlands to qualify ahead of Ireland on net-run-rate tiebreaker, they needed to get to the target in 14.2 overs, an idea so preposterous that Ireland captain William Porterfield wasn't informed about it until the ambush was nearly complete. Peter Borren promoted himself to open the chase and, along with Stephan Myburgh, initiated a fearless charge, nailing the win with three balls of breathing room.
Peter Della Penna is ESPNcricinfo's USA correspondent. @PeterDellaPenna