Stephan Myburgh’s second straight fifty set up Netherlands’ six-wicket win over United Arab Emirates in their first World Twenty20 game.
The opening batsman followed up his 52 in a warm-up defeat to Hong Kong on Friday with a 36-ball 55 to put the Dutch well on their way to overhaul UAE’s 151 all out.
Myburgh was run out at the end of the 10th over but Tom Cooper, who replaced the injured Tim Gruijters in the squad over the weekend, secured victory at Sylhet with seven deliveries to spare via an unbeaten 34.
Once Netherlands were inserted Myburgh dominated a first-wicket stand of 69 with Michael Swart, who contributed 26.
Wesley Barresi was dropped twice in his 21 and both Myburgh and Peter Borren, one of two victims for Kamran Shazad, were also spilled.
Aside from UAE’s number three to six batsmen all scoring in excess of 20, Netherlands’ bowlers dominated and ended the innings with a delivery unused.
Ahsan Malik returned 3-16 while there were two wickets apiece for Timm van der Gugte and Cooper.
Netherlands now top Group A, narrowly ahead of Ireland who pipped Zimbabweearlier today. One team from the group goes through to the Super 10 stage.