Netherlands do Pakistan a massive favour, beat South Africa

South Africa have been termed as the chokers of world cricket in the past.

Looks like they truly deserve the tag!

How else can you explain the fact that they have been eliminated from the T20 World Cup in the most unlikely manner possible?

All credit to the Netherlands who produced a stunning upset to knock South Africa with a 13-run victory at Adelaide Oval.

South Africa was expected to comfortably beat cricket minnows Netherlands, who are ranked 17th in the world and were bottom of Group 2.

But South Africa faltered when it mattered.

Chasing 159 for victory, South Africa’s batting let them down as Temba Bavuma’s men finished on 145-8.

The outcome will send India, who are facing Zimbabwe now, through to semi-finals.

This upset is a massive bonus for Pakistan who beat Bangladesh and booked the second semi-finalist slot from group 2.

The Netherlands’ top four batters made useful contribution to power the Dutch side to 158-4 after being put into bat at the Adelaide Oval.

Stephan Myburgh (37) and Max O’Dowd (29) gave them a decent start adding 58 runs for the opening stand.

Tom Cooper contributed 35 runs.

Player of the Match Colin Ackermann was the star batter for the Dutch with an unbeaten 41 from 26 balls, helping their late charge.

Ackermann smashed three fours and two sixes in his knock and along with skipper Scott Edwards, helped the team get 31 runs from the final two overs.

South Africa lose openers cheaply

South Africa struggled to get going in their reply losing both their openers – Quinton de Kock and skipper Bavuma, inside the powerplay.

The left-handed de Kock hit a four and six but soon fell caught behind to Fred Klaassen, for 13

Temba Bavuma, who has been under pressure due to poor form, strung together a run-a-ball 20 when he played all around a full delivery and saw his leg stump shattered.

At this stage, South Africa were 39 for 2.

However, it was Glover’s wicket of Rilee Rossouw that raised the Dutch hopes.

Rossouw, who hit the first century in this tournament, departed after a 19-ball 25.

The Proteas fought back and seemed to be in a winning position at 90-3 in the 13th over, needing 68 off 46.

Yet it all fell apart for the Proteas with wickets tumbling, as Klaassen had Aiden Markram caught by Stephan Myburgh.

South Africa had six wickets left, needing 47 off 29 balls, when Miller mis-timed a hook shot off Brandon Glover, which was lofted towards fine leg.

Roelof van der Merwe’s brilliant catch running backwards to dismiss danger man Miller was arguably the moment of the match.

Next, Glover dismissed Wayne Parnell for a duck which effectively ended South Africa’s batting.

From there, South Africa’s tail could not get them near the target.

Van der Merwe pulled off a diving effort that changed the course of the match.

Brandon Glover, who claimed three wickets for nine runs was decisive.

Fred Klaassen provided valuable support with 2 wickets for 20 runs.

This is arguably South Africa’s worst loss ever and will be hard to digest.

Netherlands 158 for 4 (Ackermann 41*, Myburgh 37, Cooper 35, Maharaj 2-27) beat South Africa 145 for 8 (Rossouw 25, Glover 3-9, Klaassen 2-20, de Leede 2-25) by 13 runs