The Netherlands, led by skipper Babette de Leede, were up against Namibia, led by skipper Sune Wittmann, at Terdthai Cricket Ground, Bangkok, in the 19th match of the inaugural ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2025.
The Netherlands openers, Phebe Molkenboer and Iris Zwilling, got their side off to a steady start with a 38-run opening partnership, after Namibia skipper Sune Wittmann won the toss and opted to field first. Eveleen Kejarukua broke the stand, by sending Iris Zwilling (18 off 14 balls) back to the pavilion in the 6th over of the innings to provide the first breakthrough for Namibia. A run-out ended Phebe Mollkenboer’s stay (17 off 21 balls) stay at the crease in the 7th over of the innings.
Sterre Kalis joined skipper Babette de Leede at the crease, and the duo stitched a much-needed 73-run partnership for the 3rd wicket, which also took them past the 100-run mark. An unfortunate run-out ended skipper Babette de Leede’s (39 off 34 balls) confident stay at the crease to an end in the 16th over of the innings to provide the 3rd breakthrough for the Sune Wittmann-led side as they approached the final phase of the innings. Sterre Kalis (47 off 38 balls) missed out on a well-deserved half-century by 3 runs as she was cleaned up by Sylvia Shihepo in the 19th over of the innings.
A whirlwind cameo from Robine Rijke (21 off 9 balls) provided the impetus as the Netherlands finished strong at 164/6 in their quota of 20 overs. Eveleen Kejarukua (4-0-29-1) and skipper Sune Wittmann (4-0-27-0) were the standout performers with the ball for Namibia.
Chasing a stiff total of 165, Namibia lost the wicket of their opening batter, Kayleen Green, in the 2nd over of the run chase, pushing them on the back foot early on. Robine Rijke provided the first breakthrough for the Netherlands.
The wicket-keeper batter Yasmeen Khan joined Edelle van Zyl at the crease, and the wicket-keeper batter infused momentum into the innings by unleashing a brutal counterattack en route to a much-needed 40-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Frederique Overdijk broke the stand, by sending the opening batter Edelle van Zyl back to the pavilion in the 6th over of the run chase to provide the 2nd breakthrough for her side.
A dramatic collapse followed as Namibia’s innings eventually folded for 113, with 22 balls to spare. Namibia lost their last 8 wickets for just 59 runs. As a result, they fell 51 runs short of the target. Yasmeen Khan (41 off 15 balls) top-scored with the bat for Namibia. Her knock included 7 boundaries and a couple of maximums. Sylvia Shihepo (11 off 9 balls) and Naomi Benjamin (10 off 12 balls) were the only other batters to enter the double digits for Namibia.
Frederique Overdijk (3.2-0-18-4) and Caroline de Lange (4-0-11-3) were exceptional with the ball for the Netherlands. Frederique Overdijk has been awarded the Player of the Match as she broke the back of the Namibian run chase with her impeccable spell. The Netherlands have now moved to 6 points from 5 games, including 3 victories and a couple of defeats in their campaign, placing them in the 4th position in the points table in the tournament so far.
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