Netherlands XI overcame a determined Austria side in the Group B Final of the Dream11 European Cricket Championship to qualify for Championship Week in early October. In a tense thriller, the talented men in Orange staved off a strong Austria side by a four run margin, after dominating the group stages with seven wins in eight games.
Batting first, Netherlands posted 126 despite a duck for their in-form batter Clayton Floyd. With 48 off 18 balls from Musa Ahmad, the other opener, NED XI cruised nicely to 126, also helped by a late burst by Olivier Elenbaas, who made 24 off five balls with four sixes. Elenbaas' late cameo proved to be decisive in a close game as Austria, powered by a 15-ball 32 from Zeeshan Goraya came within four runs of snatching the Group B title. Austria do have the massive consolation of qualifying for Championship Week in early October as Group B runners-up.
Earlier on a rain-marred finals day, Portugal went through to the second qualifier after beating Hungary in the eliminator. Netherlands XI had their qualifier 1 against Austria abandoned, which took NED XI to the finals on account of their better position in the group table. Austria got through to the finals after beating much-improved Portugal in a close game in the second qualifier.
