by: Atika Mehboob TN Sport Pakistan:
Scott Edwards’ impressive unbeaten half-century instilled confidence in the Netherlands’ bowling attack, leading them to decimate South Africa’s renowned batting line-up and clinch a monumental World Cup victory.
Prior to this clash, South Africa, with over 100-run victories in both their previous games and scores of 428 and 311, had downplayed their earlier group-stage defeat to the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup. The Dutch had displayed moments of brilliance in their spirited losses to Pakistan and New Zealand. But this game seemed predictable until Edwards and Roelof van der Merwe turned the tide, securing a 38-run triumph—Netherlands’ maiden ODI win against South Africa.
The Dutch, initially struggling at 50 for 4 and later 140 for 7, managed an impressive 105 runs in the final nine overs. This resurgence was courtesy of Edwards’ 78 not out from 69 balls, van der Merwe’s quickfire 29 off 19, and Aryan Dutt’s rapid 23 from 9 deliveries. The total of 246 looked distant, especially given the prowess of South Africa’s pace battery comprising Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, and Lungi Ngidi.
In response, Netherlands were impressive from the word go, leaving South Africa for 44/4. It all ended in the last over when the South Africa were bowled out for 207. Thereby, Dutches handed South Africa their first ever lose in the ongoing ICC World Cup.
