Netherlands dealt a severe blow to Zimbabwe's hopes of making the semi-finals of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup with a five-wicket win at the Adelaide Oval in a Group 2 Super 12 clash on Wednesday.

After opting to bat Zimbabwe was bowled out for 117 in 19.2 overs and in response Netherlands chased down the target in 18 overs to finish on 120 for five.

Earlier, Zimbabwe was reduced to 20 for three. Then Zimbabwe was well served by a 48 run fourth wicket stand between Sean Williams (28) and Sikandar Raza (40: 24b, 3x4, 3x6). But thereafter Zimbabwe kept losing wickets again at regular intervals. Raza was the lone man standing. The tail did not wag as expected as Zimbabwe was bowled out for 117 in 19.2 overs. For Netherlands the top wicket-takers were Paul van Meekeren (3-29), Brandon Glover (2-29), Logan van Beek (2-17) and Bas de Leede (2-14).

In their response, Netherlands chase was fashioned by a 73 run second wicket stand between Max O'Dowd and Tom Cooper. The pair ensured that Netherlands remained on track to win the contest. Cooper fell with the score on 90 for 32. There were a few more wickets that fell thereafter, but did not disrupt Netherlands' chase. O'Dowd finished on 52 off 47 balls with eight boundaries and a six. In the end Netherlands chased down the target in 18 overs to finish on 120 for five. For Zimbabwe the best bowlers were Richard Ngarva (2-18) and Blessing Muzarabani (2-23). 

Match Summary
Zimbabwe: 117 (19.2)
Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Wessly Madhevere-1.3 ov), 2-14 (Craig Ervine-3.6 ov), 3-20 (Regis Chakabva-5.6 ov), 4-68 (Sean Williams-11.5 ov), 5-77 (Milton Shumba-12.4 ov), 6-92 (Sikandar Raza-14.2 ov), 7-98 (Ryan Burl-15.6 ov), 8-100 (Luke Jongwe-16.3 ov), 9-111 (Richard Ngarava-17.5 ov), 10-117 (Blessing Muzarabani-19.2 ov)

Netherlands: 120-5 (18)
Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Stephan Myburgh-3.2 ov), 2-90 (Tom Cooper-12.5 ov), 3-91 (Colin Ackermann-13.4 ov), 4-109 (Max O'Dowd-15.1 ov), 5-116 (Scott Edwards-16.3 ov) 

Scorecard

Playing XI
Netherlands: Stephan Myburgh, Max O'Dowd, Tom Cooper, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Scott Edwards (captain & wicket-keeper), Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Fred Klaassen, Paul van Meekeren, Brandon Glover

Zimbabwe: Wessly Madhevere, Craig Ervine (captain), Regis Chakabva (wicket-keeper), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Tendai Chatara, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

Match Details
Toss: Zimbabwe, elected to bat
Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Start time: 0400 hrs GMT
Match officials: Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth (On-field Umpires); Chris Brown (TV Umpire); Marais Erasmus (Reserve Umpire); David Boon (Match-referee)

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