A powerful all-round efficiency by Bas de Leede secured The Netherlands the ultimate spot within the Cricket World Cup after it beat Scotland by 4 wickets on Thursday.
De Leede struck a superb 123 after taking 5 for 52 within the Scottish innings.
The Dutch be a part of Sri Lanka in reaching the game’s quadrennial showpiece which is being hosted by India in October and November.
It will likely be its fifth look within the event however the first since 2011.
The Dutch had appeared down and out on a few events in its innings – at one level they have been 108 for 4 – however de Leede was unstoppable in chasing down Scotland’s 277 for 9.
His 123 included seven fours and 5 sixes – two in succession took him to his century – and his fifth-wicket partnership of 113 with Saqib Zulfiqar (33 n.o.) proved essential for the win.
Netherlands celebrates its win over Scotland.
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“We had a look at where we wanted to be at the halfway point, and from there you’ve got to do it,” de Leede informed Sky Sports.
“It was 10 to 11 an over, so for us it was about going into T20 mode. We tried to take as many runs as possible in each over and just see where we would end up. It’s amazing, I can’t describe the feeling, and it will be one big party tonight.”
Scotland had set the Dutch a difficult whole thanks largely to a 137-run partnership for the fourth wicket between South African-born pair Brandon McMullen and captain Richie Berrington.
McMullen made a chic 106 and Berrington a punchy 64 – Tom Mackintosh chipped in with a crowd-pleasing unbeaten 38 on the finish of the innings.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com