17-year-old Cedric de Lange in Netherlands T20 squad to tour Bangladesh for the three T20Is starting August 30.
For the forthcoming T20I series in Bangladesh beginning August 30, the Netherlands have called up right-arm quick Sebastiaan Braat and all-rounder Sikander Zulfiqar for the first time, as well as 17-year-old batter Cedric de Lange. After Saqib Zulfiqar withdrew for personal reasons and Ryan Klein and Fred Klaassen were ruled out due to injuries, the changes had to be made.
De Lange has been a reliable player for his club, the Under-19 team, and the most recent Pro Series, which included the domestic T20s in the Netherlands that ended on August 20.
“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.”
After putting up strong numbers in both domestic and club cricket, Braat makes his first appearance for the Netherlands since 2021, when he appeared in T20Is against Nepal.
After playing in T20Is for the last time in 2019, Sikander Zulfiqar’s absence from international cricket was even longer.
“It’s also great to welcome Sebastiaan Braat back into the side,” Edwards said. “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.”
This will be the Netherlands’ first trip travelling Bangladesh, and they have only faced Bangladesh five times in Twenty20 Internationals. While Bangladesh will use the series to decide their lineup for the Asia Cup beginning September 11, the Netherlands will utilise it as a training ground for the T20 World Cup early next year.
Before the Netherlands’ first Twenty20 International on August 30, their second on September 1, and their third on September 3, they train in Sylhet for three days.