Netherlands and Zimbabwe booked their place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 after seeing off the USA and Papua New Guinea (PNG) respectively in the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier B at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Summary:
i). Netherlands sealed a seven-wicket victory in their semi-final after restricting the USA to 138 in 19.4 overs
ii). Zimbabwe held off a courageous PNG by 27 runs.
Detailed report:
USA were hoping to make their first global ICC tournament. The in-form Steven Taylor and skipper Monank Patel laid a solid foundation with a 51-run opening stand from in just five overs.
Paul van Meekeren drew the first blood for the Netherlands with an all-important wicket of Taylor, who fell for 26 – his lowest score in the tournament so far. Unfortunately for the USA, the wicket triggered a collapse.
Monank was the next batter to fall, getting caught off Shariz Ahmad, for a well-made 15-ball 32. Aaron Jones (15), Jaskaran Malhotra (12) and Nisarg Patel (28) were the only other batters to have scored runs in double digits as the pressure got the better of the USA line-up.
The Netherlands fought back well and had the USA bowled out in 19.4 overs for 138.