T20 World Cup 2021: Ireland face tough Netherlands in their opener

Al Amerat (Oman), Oct 17: A team that has a penchant for beating higher-ranked sides at major tournaments, Ireland will begin their T20 World Cup first round campaign against a rising Netherlands, here on Monday (October 18).

The Group A match will be vital to hopes of both the teams progressing to the Super 12 stage. The Netherlands have reasons to be confident, having won seven of their 12 T20Is against Ireland. They also come out on top in their recent ODI series.

Ireland have registered World Cup victories over Pakistan (2007), England (2011), West Indies (2015) and Zimbabwe (2015), and Bangladesh (2009 T20 World Cup).

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Now firmly established as a force to be reckoned with, they can both make a statement and take a big step forward in the tournament. Ireland surprised many by reaching the second round of T20 World Cup in 2009 -- their debut tournament.

They haven't made it further than the first round in their four tournaments since, missing out on net-run rate in 2014. This time, they will be chasing their first win in a T20 World Cup tournament since 2014.

A mix of golden age mainstays and young talent, Ireland qualified for this year's tournament by topping their group in the qualifier on net run rate, even after dropping matches to Canada and UAE.

Last playing a T20I back in March 2020 -- a three-match series they lost 1-2 -- Ireland have had mixed results in recent times, having first won the tri-series final against Scotland in a thrilling finish at home, and then going down to hosts Oman in the pentangular series to finish second in the competition.

The experienced Kevin O'Brien will be their key player, having also been in the team in 2009, playing a match-winning hand alongside brother Niall against Bangladesh with a stroke-filled 17-ball 39 not out. He then shot to fame in 2011, scoring the fastest-ever century in the 50-over World Cup to script an emphatic win against England in Bengaluru.

He brought up Ireland's first-ever century in the shortest format, striking 124 off just 62 balls against Oman earlier this month. Netherlands made the showpiece event by reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup Qualifier tournament, which they went on to win.

The Netherlands have been at the heart of some of the most memorable moments in T20 World Cup history with brilliant one-off successes, including famous victories against England in 2009 at Lord's and 2014.

In the 2014 edition, they had beaten Ireland as they chased down a total of 190 in less than 14 overs to qualify for the second stage. With proven match-winners like Ryan Ten Doeschate, Ben Cooper, Roelof van der Merwe and Pieter Seelaar in their ranks, the Dutch will be hopeful of returning to the second stage of the T20 World Cup this month and then bettering their previous best tournament performance.

The calming presence of captain Pieter Seelaar will be key for the Dutch hopes of getting out of Round 1. A veteran of 15 years in international cricket, Seelaar has experienced the various highs and lows of Dutch cricket.

The Teams (From):

Netherlands: Pieter Seelaar (c), Colin Ackermann, Philippe Boissevain, Ben Cooper, Bas de Leede, Scott Edwards, Brandon Glover, Fred Klaassen, Stephan Myburgh, Max O'Dowd, Ryan Ten Doeschate, Logan van Beek, Timm van der Gugten, Roelof van der Merwe and Paul van Meekeren.

Ireland: Gary Wilson (c), Mark Adair, Andy Balbirnie, David Delany, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Kevin O'Brien, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Stuart Thompson, Lorcan Tucker and Craig Young.

Match starts at 3:30pm IST.