Danube Lions go down fighting against Netherlands

Netherlands propelled by a solid half century from Stephan Myburgh beat Danube Lions by 7 wickets in the inaugural T20 Friendship Cup played at the ICC Global Cricket Academy ground on Thursday.

Electing to bat first the newly formed Danube Lions made a respectable 152 with Prashanth top scoring with a blistering knock of 48 off just 19 balls.

But the experienced visitors in the UAE on the first leg of a winter tour overhauled the target with 10 balls to spare.

After the early loss of Bhaktiyar, Danube recovered through a 42-run partnership between Maqsood and Asif.

Prashanth changed the tempo of the match with his powerful hitting, hammering six sixes during his enterprising innings.
 
Netherlands got off to a flier posting 60 runs in their first 6 overs making full use of their power play.

Danube spinners Sanjeeva Das, Sameer Nayak along with skipped Mashood pegged them back.
 
Netherlands lost three quick wickets due to some tight bowling of their spinners and at one stage were 93 for 3 and needed to score 60 runs in 8 overs.

Danube had a sniff of a chance to win the match, but a dropped catch allowed Netherlands to get away.

Myburgh batted cautiously ensuring there were no further alarms and remained unbeaten on 85 to steer Netherlands home.
 
Anis Sajan, the Managing Director of Danube Group and founder of Danube Lions said: "I am delighted to see my players in action against the national team of Netherlands and very proud of the way my boys fought against such an experienced team."
 
The T20 Friendship Cup was presented to the winning team of Netherlands by Robert Leeuw the Consul General of Netherlands who said that his team would play with Danube Lions every time they visit UAE.
 
 

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