Belfast Wolves delivered a stunning burst of power hitting to defeat Amsterdam Flames by nine wickets in Match 7 of the ETPL. In a contest reduced to five overs per side at Sportpark Westvliet, Belfast chased 57 with seven deliveries remaining after an explosive performance led by Paul Stirling.
ETPL: Belfast Wolves Complete Rapid Chase
Belfast Wolves won the toss and chose to field, seeking early wickets before taking advantage of the short boundaries and limited overs. Amsterdam Flames responded positively, scoring 56 for two from their five overs in an innings built around attacking strokeplay.
Steven Smith top-scored for Amsterdam with 20 from 10 deliveries, while Yuvraj Samra added an unbeaten 19 from 11. Tim David contributed nine from six balls and Bas de Leede finished unbeaten on seven from three, helping the Flames post a competitive total in an unusually condensed format.
Stirling sets the tone for Belfast
The Belfast reply was even more decisive. Needing 57 at a rate of more than 11 runs per over, the Wolves immediately attacked rather than attempting to settle into the chase.
Paul Stirling produced the decisive innings, smashing an unbeaten 25 from only 10 balls, including three sixes. Mark Chapman added 19 from eight deliveries, while Glenn Maxwell finished unbeaten on 11 from five as Belfast maintained control throughout the chase.
The Wolves reached 59 for one after just 3.5 overs, securing a nine-wicket victory with seven balls unused. Stirling’s clean striking earned him the Man of the Match award.
Five-over format creates ETPL cricket spectacle
The shortened match left no room for defensive cricket. Amsterdam pushed hard from the opening delivery, but Belfast’s response demonstrated superior execution under pressure. The Wolves consistently found the boundary and transformed a demanding target into a comfortable win.
The result also highlighted the attacking depth available across the competition, with experienced international players contributing in a format where a single over can change the entire match. For Amsterdam Flames, the performance offered encouragement despite the defeat; for Belfast Wolves, it represented another important ETPL victory.
Match summary
- Amsterdam Flames: 56/2 from 5 overs
- Belfast Wolves: 59/1 from 3.5 overs
- Result: Belfast Wolves won by nine wickets
- Player of the Match: Paul Stirling
- Venue: Sportpark Westvliet
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What Belfast’s victory means
Belfast Wolves were more clinical in the moments that mattered, particularly during their remarkable run chase. Paul Stirling’s explosive innings, supported by Chapman and Maxwell, ensured the target was surpassed long before the final over.
Amsterdam Flames showed that they could score quickly in the five-over format, but Belfast’s sharper finishing proved decisive. The match served as a reminder that in short-form cricket, intent and boundary-hitting can outweigh conventional pacing.
Conclusion
This ETPL thriller belonged to Belfast Wolves, who combined aggressive batting with ruthless efficiency to overcome Amsterdam Flames by nine wickets. With Stirling leading the charge, Belfast turned a challenging five-over chase into a statement victory and strengthened their position in the competition.