Netherlands aim to topple USA to stay in contention for 'something special'

While the frustration over their failure to topple Pakistan in the tournament will remain, Netherlands can still keep themselves in contention for a Super 8 berth. For starters, a facile win over Namibia did help to put that campaign back on track. But now, sterner tests await them. A day prior to their next fixture against USA, Netherlands veteran Logan van Beek spoke about heading into their final group clash against India with the spirit of doing 'something special'.

Defeating what perhaps is the best T20 outfit in the world will indeed be something special for the Dutch. While you can never put it past them or anyone for that matter in a world tournament especially in this format, they got plenty of time to focus on that fixture. For now, they got a job to pull off in Chennai - their next pit stop having played their two fixtures so far in Colombo and Delhi. There lies the challenge for the Netherlands first and foremost. They do not have the luxury of playing two or even three games in a single venue in this competition and that will constantly bring out questions over their adaptability.

To make things more challenging, this will also be their first fixture in this edition under the lights where the chasing side could easily have a distinct advantage. But if they do end up on the right side of the result, Netherlands will keep the loser of the India-Pakistan clash on their toes. For the USA on the other hand, the incentive isn't as big as it is for the Dutch. While mathematically they are still in the frame to repeat their 2024 heroics where they made it to the last 8, losing to both India and Pakistan will have its effect. Qualification is no longer in their own hands even if they win their two remaining fixtures.

They did stretch Pakistan to an extent in the run chase and gave tournament favourites India a real scare when they had them pinned down at 77 for 6. However, the lack of exposure at this level eventually caught up - something that was stressed by Shayan Jahangir in his passionate plea for more ICC funds during the pre-match press conference. A good outing on Friday followed by one more on Sunday - both at the same venue - could help that plea have a farther reach.

When: Friday, February 13, 2026 at 7 PM IST

Where: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

What to expect: The two surfaces in Chennai so far haven't been overtly spin friendly. The bat has predominantly dominated the ball and it will be interesting to see if that theme continues. Dew will be a factor to watch out for.

Team News

USA

Shayan Jahangir came into the side against Pakistan and had a good outing. He will be expected to retain his spot. Ali Khan should slot right back in if he regains fitness.

Probable XI- Andries Gous (w), Shayan Jahangir, Monank Patel (c), Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Shubham Ranjane, Harmeet Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ali Khan/Ehsan Adil, Saurabh Netravalkar

Netherlands

Netherlands would want to retain their winning combination. But Paul van Meekeren might still be in contention to return to the XI.

Probable XI- Michael Levitt, Max O'Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (w/c), Zach Lion Cachet, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren/Timm van der Gugten, Fred Klaassen

Did you know:

USA have never beaten Netherlands so far with the Dutch winning all six figures (three ODIs and three T20Is).

Seven of the nine T20s at Chepauk since January 2025 have been won by the chasing side.

What they said:

"We don't have the money to have those comps, have those big grounds that we can play on, and I think if we have that funding from ICC, and it's a request from us, personally from me, to really look into it, and if you really nurture us, I'm telling you, there's so much talent in associate cricket. There's so many cricketers who are so good, but not given the exposure." - USA's Shayan Jahangir calls for more help from the ICC

"What we have to do tomorrow night is put in a good performance against USA and then move into that India match with the spirit of we're going to do something special." - Logan van Beek is dreaming big