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Netherlands have drafted 17-year-old Cedric de Lange into their senior squad and recalled right-arm seamer Sebastiaan Braat and all-rounder Sikander Zulfiqar for three T20Is in Bangladesh, starting 30 August. The late changes follow injuries to Ryan Klein and Fred Klaassen, together with Saqib Zulfiqar pulling out for personal reasons.
De Lange’s reward comes off the back of a prolific Under-19 campaign and useful runs in the recent Pro Series, the Dutch domestic T20 competition that wrapped up on 20 August. “It’s always exciting to bring a youngster into the squad,” captain Scott Edwards said. “Cedric has been impressive all summer and he’s really earned this call-up. We’re looking forward to seeing what he can offer us on this tour and, hopefully, across a long career ahead of him.”
Braat last featured for the Netherlands in 2021, while Sikander’s most recent T20I was back in 2019. Both have put together strong domestic seasons. “It’s also great to welcome Sebastiaan Braat back into the side,” Edwards noted. “It’s been a couple of years since he last played for us, but he’s had a very strong summer at club and domestic level, and we’re looking forward to having his experience back in the group as well.
“Sikander has been a valuable member of our national team before and I’m glad to see him back in orange. He’s got phenomenal ability to clear the fence late in the game and I can’t wait to see him back and amongst the group.”
The Netherlands have faced Bangladesh only five times in the shortest format and have never toured there, so conditions in Sylhet – where they will train for three days before the opener – present a useful tune-up ahead of February’s T20 World Cup. Bangladesh, meanwhile, will treat the series as final preparation for the Asia Cup starting on 11 September.
The fixtures are set for 30 August, 1 September and 3 September.
Squad: Scott Edwards (capt & wk), Noah Croes, Max O’Dowd, Vikramjit Singh, Teja Nidamanuru, Sikander Zulfiqar, Cedric de Lange, Kyle Klein, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren, Shariz Ahmad, Ben Fletcher, Daniel Doram, Sebastiaan Braat, Tim Pringle.
Unavailable: Ryan Klein (injured), Fred Klaassen (injured), Saqib Zulfiqar (personal).
A short tour, yes, but a timely one: new blood, returning faces and a chance to see how quickly the Dutch adjust to sub-continental pitches before the World Cup rolls round.
