In the T20I tri-series at Utrecht, Canada handed the Netherlands their first defeat with a remarkable performance, defending a modest total of 132 to secure an eight-run victory.
After being put in to bat, Canada found themselves in deep trouble at 35/6 by the ninth over, as Kyle Klein and Paul van Meekeren tore through their lineup. However, Shreyas Movva and Saad Bin Zafar mounted a crucial 66-run partnership for the seventh wicket, both contributing 33 runs each. Movva's 26-ball innings included three fours and a six, while Bin Zafar played through the innings, adding important runs with the tail to take the total to 132.
The Netherlands started their chase confidently, reaching 44/1 midway through the seventh over. But a sudden collapse saw Vikramjit Singh run out for 22, followed by Michael Levitt and captain Scott Edwards falling in quick succession, leaving the score at 44/4. Despite a 21-run partnership between Zach Lion Cachet and Noah Croes, and a 37-run stand between Ryan Klein and Croes, the Netherlands failed to find the boundaries they needed in the last two overs, managing only 22 runs and ultimately losing the match.
Brief scores:
Canada 132/9 in 20 overs (Shreyas Movva 33, Saad Bin Zafar 33; Kyle Klein 3-22, Paul van Meekeren 3-29)
Netherlands 124/8 in 20 overs (Noah Croes 32; Parveen Kumar 2-10, Kaleem Sana 2-23)
Result: Canada won by 8 runs.
Netherlands vs USA
The Netherlands dominated the USA with a powerful batting display, led by Michael Levitt (68 off 34) and captain Scott Edwards (81 off 40), setting a mammoth target of 217. The USA's response was lacklustre, folding for 115 and succumbing to a crushing 102-run defeat.
Levitt set the tone in the first over, smashing 16 runs off Juanoy Drysdale. Max O'Dowd joined the fray in the third over, punishing Jasdeep Singh with a flurry of boundaries. The Netherlands raced to 76 in just five overs before Shadley Van Schalkwyk's twin strikes offered the USA a brief respite. However, Edwards took over, reaching his half-century in 27 balls and accelerating further to add 31 runs in his next 13 deliveries, propelling the Netherlands to 217.
The USA’s chase faltered from the outset, with captain Monank Patel's early boundaries proving futile as Aryan Dutt dismissed him in the second over. The USA lost wickets at regular intervals, with Aaron Jones and Shayan Jahangir providing the only resistance in a 47-run partnership. However, once Jones departed, the USA crumbled, losing seven wickets for just 32 runs.
Brief scores:
Netherlands 217/5 in 20 overs (Scott Edwards 81, Michael Levitt 68; Shadley van Schalkwyk 3-35)
USA 115 in 15.4 overs (Shayan Jahangir 37, Aaron Jones 34; Vikramjit Singh 3-16)
Result: Netherlands won by 102 runs.
USA vs Canada
The second match of the tri-series between the USA and Canada ended in a no result due to rain, with only one innings completed. Canada, after opting to bat, posted a competitive total of 169/5, thanks to contributions from Aaron Johnson (45) and Nicholas Kirton (44). However, persistent rain after the first innings led to the match being abandoned, with both teams sharing the points.
Brief scores:
Canada 169/5 in 20 overs (Aaron Johnson 45, Nicholas Kirton 44; Jasdeep Singh 2-31)
Result: No Result.
Canada vs Netherlands
In the opening match of the tri-series, half-centuries from Michael Levitt and Vikramjit Singh guided the Netherlands to a comfortable five-wicket victory over Canada. Batting first, Canada posted 152/5, with Nicholas Kirton's unbeaten 69 off 58 and Ravinderpal Singh's 39 off 18 providing the backbone of the innings. Despite an early setback, Levitt and Vikramjit ensured the Netherlands chased down the target in 16.1 overs.
Canada struggled early, with Kyle Klein's three wickets inside the powerplay stalling their progress. Kirton held the innings together, but support was lacking until Ravinderpal provided late fireworks. The Netherlands, after a cautious start, quickly gained momentum through Levitt and Vikramjit, whose 21-ball 52 proved decisive. Though Canada managed to pick up a few late wickets, the Netherlands reached the target comfortably.
Brief scores:
Canada 152/5 in 20 overs (Nicholas Kirton 69, Ravinderpal Singh 39; Kyle Klein 3-31)
Netherlands 153/5 in 16.1 overs (Michael Levitt 62, Vikramjit Singh 52; Saad Bin Zafar 2-29)
Result: Netherlands won by 5 wickets.