Preview: Semi-finals still the target for Zimbabwe as Dutch look for first Super 12 win

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Both sides are still mathematically in with a chance of reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, although that is the slimmest of chances for a Dutch side without a win in their first three matches in the group.

For Zimbabwe though, talk of a top-two finish indicates the mindset of a group of players who have already exceeded expectations Down Under.

That stunning win over Pakistan earlier in the tournament was arguably the moment of the World Cup, but the task now for the players is to pick themselves up after a nail-biting last-ball defeat against Bangladesh last time out.

That loss to the Tigers hasn’t ruled Zimbabwe out of contention for an unexpected top-two finish, but it has made the task harder.

First up the task is to beat the Netherlands and move on to five points. And then India await on the final matchday, potentially in a winner-takes-all encounter.

Beating Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and company would represent one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history given the context. But Zimbabwe are a team full of confidence and still have that as their aim.

“The real highlight for us would be to make the semis,” captain Craig Ervine said. “I think that would really put the icing on the cake.

“The guys are still very positive that we'll get there. We've just got to come into these last two games with a lot of energy.”

State of Play in Group 2

Positive energy is also abound in the Netherlands camp, despite being winless since progressing from Round 1.

“The positive thing was obviously the qualifying into the next round. That's been something that we wanted to achieve, and to sit there, go out and achieve that was awesome,” Logan van Beek said.

“But the novelty has kind of worn off now after the first three games we played. We haven't put in a complete performance in these three games.

“The guys are here to make sure that we put in our best effort and performances into these last two games, because we really feel like we haven't fulfilled our potential yet. We've got some great cricketers in this team, and we're just hoping that we can fire as a group coming into these last few games.”

Netherlands: Max O'Dowd, Vikramjit Singh, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Tom Cooper, Scott Edwards (c & wk), Tim Pringle, Logan van Beek, Shariz Ahmad, Fred Klaassen, Paul van Meekeren

**Zimbabwe:**Craig Ervine (c), Regis Chakabva (wk), Wesley Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani

Sikandar Raza: The veteran all-rounder has played match-defining roles in all of Zimbabwe's wins in this T20 World Cup. He scored an unbeaten 82 against Ireland and then scored a match-winning 40 against Scotland, while remaining unbeaten once again. But he went one better, picking up three wickets in a stunning spell to turn the game and set Zimbabwe on a path to their famous win over Pakistan. His failure to score against Bangladesh last time out was probably the difference between the two sides.

Max O'Dowd

The Netherlands' top scorer at the 2021 T20 World Cup, Max O'Dowd, has once again led by example with the willow, having registered 161 runs at an average of 32.20. More runs from the opener will be crucial if the Dutch side are to record a famous victory in Adelaide.

Captaincy Pick: Sikandar Raza

Sikandar Raza has breathed fire in 2022 so far. Brilliant with the bat and deadly with the ball, Zimbabwe's star all-rounder is his country's main man and one of the stars of the tournament. When legends of the game like Ricky Ponting are taking notice you know you're doing something right.

How Ponting's ICC video inspired Raza to beat Pakistan

Must-Have Pick: Bas de Leede

One of the standout associate cricketers at the T20 World Cup, De Leede has performed exceptionally with the ball in hand. His nine scalps have come at an average of 14.44 and a strike rate of just 10, making him one of the most effective wicket-takers in the tournament. If he can get going with the willow, he will make an excellent all-round addition to your XI.

Differential Pick: Brad Evans

The quality of the final over in the win over Pakistan was seriously impressive and highlighted the talent Evans has. A genuine all-rounder, if he gets going with the bat he can add some points there, but it is with the ball where he is more likely to make his presence count.