Netherlands Join Sri Lanka in Super 12s After UAE Victory Over Namibia

Netherlands have joined Sri Lanka in the Super 12s thanks to UAE, who have beaten Namibia by 34 runs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Both sides had finished third in their groups, but a slightly better net run rate saw the Dutch and Emiratis book their places in the next stage of qualifying with two games remaining. Batting first, UAE were always up against it – they needed to get over 279 to top Pool B, and despite their best efforts only got as far as 239 all out in 41 overs. The Netherlands beat Sri Lanka to the final Super 12s qualifying spot in the ICC World Cricket League Championship after the UAE defeated Namibia in the final match of the 2018 competition. A rain-hit match in Windhoek was completed on Friday with Mohammed Naveed and Mohammed Tauqir sharing seven wickets between them as Namibia fell short of their 188-run target, which was set by UAE's score of 230 all out, thanks largely to a 68-ball century from Khurram Khan. MATCH REPORT – UAE 36–36 NAMIBIA The United Arab Emirates join Sri Lanka at 5–2 in Pool A after a last-ball victory over Namibia in Amstelveen. Chasing UAE’s 249 for 8, Namibia required just two runs to qualify for next year’s World Cup. But with Duanne Olivier having taken four wickets to leave them 33–9 and needing five to win off the final over, Shahzad Anwar faced up to Shaun von Berg. With one ball remaining, he attempted an ambitious lofted drive that was caught by Von Berg on his follow-through. It was a fitting end to an enthralling game between two of cricket’s most exciting teams. MATCH REPORT – NETHERLANDS 35–33 SRI LANKA Netherlands have secured a place in next year’s ICC World T20 Qualifier after a dramatic win against neighbors and table-toppers Sri Lanka. Needing to win by nine wickets, Netherlands achieved their target with three balls to spare when Bas de Leede scampered home for an unlikely single off a return catch. The hosts had earlier been reduced to 33–4 in pursuit of 142 but were rescued by Wesley Barresi (54) and Stephan Myburgh (55). Earlier, number one side Sri Lanka had looked set for victory at 35–3 before collapsing spectacularly as they lost five wickets for four runs. Ajantha Mendis was once again instrumental, taking 3–18 from his four overs while Rangana Herath also took two as the Netherlands skittled out Sri Lanka for 132. HOW THEY STACK UP (HOW CURRENT STANDINGS CAN CHANGE IN THE SUPER TWELVE) (1) Pakistan 4-0, 3 pts; (2) Zimbabwe 4-0, 3 pts; (3) Ireland 2-1, 2 pts; (4) Netherlands 1-2, 1 pt; and (5) UAE 1-2, 1 pt. Series A Afghanistan v Scotland at Dubai on March 5; England v Kenya at Abu Dhabi on March 6; New Zealand v Australia at Abu Dhabi on March 7. Series B: West Indies v Bangladesh in Sharjah on March 6; India v South Africa in Dubai on March 7. QUICK TABLES (POSSIBLE FINISHES AFTER WEEKEND ACTION) Sri Lanka 5 4 0 1 17 Netherlands 5 3 0 2 15 Kenya 5 2 1 2 11 Nepal 5 2 0 3 10 Denmark 5 1 0 4 4 United Arab Emirates 5 1 0 4 4 Germany 5 0 1 4 2  Qualified: SRI LANKA, NETHERLANDS, KENYA QUALIFYING TABLE NEPAL (5 points), DENMARK (2) and GERMANY (0) have qualified for next year's Intercontinental Cup. The bottom two teams in each group will play off to determine which two teams will join them. If any of those four sides win their play-off matches they qualify automatically. The top two sides from that mini-tournament progress to next year's Intercontinental Cup as well, regardless of whether or not they are already through by virtue of finishing third or fourth in their respective groups.