In a crucial Group ‘D’ encounter at the ICC T20 World Cup, Bangladesh emerged victorious against the Netherlands by 25 runs, significantly bolstering their chances of advancing to the Super 8 stage of the tournament. This win marks Bangladesh’s second triumph in the group, underlining their strong performance in the competition.
The match took place at the Arnos Vale Stadium, where the Netherlands won the toss and opted to bowl first. Bangladesh posted a competitive total of 159 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs. The standout performer for Bangladesh was Shakib Al Hasan, who played a pivotal role in both batting and bowling. Shakib scored an unbeaten 64 off 46 balls, anchoring the innings and guiding his team to a formidable score. He was well supported by Tanzid Hasan, who contributed a brisk 35 off 26 deliveries, and Mahmudullah, who added 25 off 21 balls.
The Netherlands bowlers, led by Paul van Meekeren and Aryan Dutt, put up a commendable fight. Van Meekeren claimed 2 wickets for 15 runs in his 4 overs, while Dutt also picked up 2 wickets for 17 runs. Tim Pringle chipped in with a wicket, conceding 26 runs in his 3 overs.
In response, the Netherlands managed to score 134 for 8 in their 20 overs, falling short by 25 runs. Sybrand Engelbrecht top-scored for the Dutch side with a quick 33 off 22 balls. Vikramjit Singh and Scott Edwards made notable contributions with 26 off 16 and 25 off 23 balls, respectively. However, their efforts were not enough to chase down the target set by Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, with Rishad Hossain being the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 33 runs in his 4 overs. Taskin Ahmed also shone with the ball, grabbing 2 wickets for 30 runs, while Mahmudullah contributed with 1 wicket for just 6 runs in his solitary over.
Shakib Al Hasan’s all-round brilliance earned him the Player of the Match award. His figures of 0 for 29 in 4 overs, coupled with his unbeaten 64 runs, played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s victory.
With this win, Bangladesh has fortified their position in Group ‘D’ and taken a significant step towards qualifying for the Super 8 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup. The team’s consistent performance in the group stages has made them a formidable contender in the tournament.
