🏏ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Group A: Ban W vs Ned W, M5, Pg 5🏏 - Page 6

The De Leede household must have a lot of World Cup stories to share. Tim could talk about dismissing Sachin Tendulkar in 2003 and Bas, about the time he matched Sam Curran for wickets in 2022. Soon enough, Babette should join this table with tales of her own. Netherlands, under her, walk into their maiden T20 World Cup with a squad brimming with excitement and commitment to her ambitious plans. It could be an emotional moment to finally take the field in an event like this, but beyond those early feelings, the cricketing ideas have been spelt out clearly - Our goal is to win at least two games and end in the top eight, so that we automatically qualify for the next T20 World Cup,Babette wrote in her ICC column.

For this edition, Netherlands' ticket to the World Cup destination - England & Wales - has needed a couple of stopovers. Their journey began at the Division One Europe Qualifier in 2025 where they finished second behind Ireland. In the Global Qualifiers in Nepal this year, they did enough to secure the fourth qualification spot after Bangladesh, Ireland and Scotland.

Best XI: Heather Siegers, Phebe Molkenboer, Sterre Kalis, Babette de Leede (c), Robine Rijke, Sanya Khurana, Frederique Overdijk, Iris Zwilling, Caroline de Lange, Silver Siegers, Isabel van der Woning

Players to keep an eye on

Iris Zwilling:The right-arm fast bowler broke through to the national side as a teenager in 2019, and has been playing for nearly six years now. Zwilling is the first-ever Dutch cricketer to pick 100 T20I wickets. She bagged seven wickets in seven Global Qualifiers matches, and will be a potential Powerplay threat at the World Cup.

Sterre Kalis:The 26-year-old right-handed batter slotting in at No.4 is a key cog to Netherlands' batting. She packs a lot of experience, scoring 1949 runs in 64 T20I innings. Kalis has played in England too, having featured in 21 Women's Hundreds matches across four seasons, while also turning out in the domestic circuit there since 2020.

What's in the news:Head coach Neil MacRae will end his tenure with the Netherlands women's team after this World Cup, having guided them to it since taking the job in January 2024. He has chosen to move to a job with Jersey, as their Director of Cricket and the head coach of the Men's team. Former South Africa cricketer Pierre de Bruyn will take over from him and helm Netherlands' post-World Cup era.

Where they finished in 2024: Did not qualify

How have they performed since then:In this World Cup cycle, Netherlands have played 34 T20Is, winning 23 of them. That includes a win (and a loss) against Bangladesh, who they face in their first game of the World Cup.

T20 World Cup debutants Netherlands who kick off their campaign against Bangladesh today. They have arrived here with the mission of winning at least two matches and finishing in the top eight, so as to secure a position in the next T20 World Cup. Bangladesh, meanwhile, have been here before many times, and they'll also be aware of the threat posed by the Dutch, having lost a game against them in the tri-series last month. In a group where tougher opponents lie ahead, this is a chance that neither team can afford to lose. Stay tuned as we build up to this clash at Edgbaston.

Did you get a chance to catch up with the heroics from Shemaine Campbelle last night? An incredible win it was from the West Indies over the defending champions in Group B. These are the performances that stay with you for years to come.

Babette de Leede | Netherlands captain: Going to have a bat first. The outfield is very fast, wicket looks flat. The way England played here last night - get a big score and defend that. Same team that we won the Qualifier with. Super exciting - dream coming true for all of us.

Netherlands Women have won the toss and have opted to bat

Teams:

Bangladesh Women (Playing XI): Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana(w/c), Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Shanjida Akter Meghla, Fariha Trisna

Netherlands Women (Playing XI): Heather Siegers, Phebe Molkenboer, Babette de Leede(w/c), Sterre Kalis, Robine Rijke, Sanya Khurana, Frederique Overdijk, Iris Zwilling, Caroline de Lange, Silver Siegers, Isabel Woning

Nigar Sultana Joty | Bangladesh captain: Wanted to bat as well. We have a very good bowling unit, we all know that. Girls have worked so hard last few months. Perfect opportunity for us to be in the spotlight.

Babette de Leede | Netherlands captain: Going to have a bat first. The outfield is very fast, wicket looks flat. The way England played here last night - get a big score and defend that. Same team that we won the Qualifier with. Super exciting - dream coming true for all of us.

Nigar Sultana Joty | Bangladesh captain: Wanted to bat as well. We have a very good bowling unit, we all know that. Girls have worked so hard last few months. Perfect opportunity for us to be in the spotlight.

Babette de Leede | Netherlands captain: Going to have a bat first. The outfield is very fast, wicket looks flat. The way England played here last night - get a big score and defend that. Same team that we won the Qualifier with. Super exciting - dream coming true for all of us.

Netherlands Women have won the toss and have opted to bat

Babette de Leede from a family cricketers. Looks promising.

Teams:

Bangladesh Women (Playing XI): Dilara Akter(w), Juairiya Ferdous, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana(c), Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Shanjida Akter Meghla, Fariha Trisna

Netherlands Women (Playing XI): Sterre Kalis, Sanya Khurana, Phebe Molkenboer, Babette de Leede(w/c), Robine Rijke, Iris Zwilling, Heather Siegers, Frederique Overdijk, Caroline de Lange, Silver Siegers, Isabel Woning

Players have lined up for the anthems. The excitement on the faces of the Netherlands players is palpable. You can't wipe the smile off captain Babette de Leede's face while singing the national anthem.

Pitch and conditions | Charles Dagnall and Anjum Chopra: 70 meters down the ground, 61 meters and 55 meters square boundaries. Same strip used for the first match between England and Sri Lanka. Hardly looks like anyone has played on this surface. There's runs in this pitch.

Marufa Akter to Phebe Molkenboer, out Caught by Nigar Sultana!! Phebe Molkenboer c Nigar Sultana b Marufa Akter 11(7) [4s-2]

Marufa Akter to Phebe Molkenboer, THATS OUT!! Caught!!