Bangladesh engineered a remarkable comeback victory over the Netherlands, enhancing their prospects for the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024. Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (64 off 46) played a pivotal role, scoring an undefeated fifty which was coupled with Rishad Hossain (3/33) tight bowling performance, leading Bangladesh to a critical 25-run victory while defending a total of 159.
Bangladesh's win knocks out Sri Lanka
Bangladesh's victory not only propelled Bangladesh to strengthen their second-place standing with four points from three matches in Group D but also dashed Sri Lanka’s faint hopes of advancing to the Super 8 round. Meanwhile, the Netherlands remained in third place, having accrued two points from their three games.
Despite a promising start from Netherlands in their chase of 160 runs at Arnos Vale Stadium, Bangladesh dominated the final five overs to secure a crucial 25-run victory. This win solidifies their hold on second place in Group D with two valuable points.
Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and young leg-spinner Rishad Hossain were Bangladesh's heroes on Thursday, their performances keeping their World Cup hopes alive. Coming into the tournament on a losing streak against the USA, this victory marks a significant turnaround for Bangladesh. Captain Najmul Shanto can finally breathe a sigh of relief as his team displayed much-needed unity against Netherlands.
Netherlands' Chase falters in final overs
Netherlands began their chase of 160 runs with promise, reaching a comfortable 110/3 by the 15th over. However, the tide turned dramatically when young leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, making his T20 World Cup debut, ripped through the Dutch batting order with a back-breaking three-fer. In a sensational spell, Hossain claimed two wickets in three balls. First, he deceived the in-form Sybrand Engelbrecht with a cunning delivery, then lured Bas de Leede out of his crease with a beautifully flighted leg-spinner.
These quick wickets completely shattered Netherlands' momentum, handing the advantage to Bangladesh. Hossain wasn't done yet. In his next over, he dismissed the dangerous Logan van Beek, effectively sealing the Dutch team's fate. Netherlands could only manage 134/8 in their 20 overs, falling short by a convincing 25 runs. Despite Bangladesh's overall bowling performance not being at its best, Mustafizur Rahman emerged as a calming presence. Fresh off his stint in the IPL, 'Fizz' displayed his experience with an economical spell of 4-0-12-1. He crucially removed the Netherlands captain, Scott Edwards, who had started looking comfortable against the Bangladeshi spinners.
Bangladesh claw back into contention with Shakib masterclass
Bangladesh's T20 World Cup hopes flickered back to life on Thursday thanks to a dominant batting display led by the seasoned Shakib Al Hasan. Facing a must-win encounter against Netherlands, Bangladesh posted a competitive total of 159 for 5 wickets.
Shakib, known for his explosive batting, roared back to form with a sublime 46-ball 64, anchoring the Bangladesh innings. He wasn't alone in his efforts. Tanzid Hasan chipped in with a brisk 35 from just 26 deliveries, and Mahmudullah provided valuable support with a 21-ball 25. A late cameo from Jaker Ali (14 runs off 7 balls) added further impetus to the Bangladeshi total.
However, the start of the innings wasn't smooth sailing. Netherlands captain Scott Edwards took a calculated gamble by opening the bowling with off-spinner Aryan Dutt, a decision that paid off immediately. Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto fell prey to a poor shot selection, attempting a needless reverse sweep and getting caught for just 1 run.
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Dutt continued to impress, dismissing the dangerous Litton Das in the fourth over. Das' dismissal was a double blow for Bangladesh, coming just after Tanzid had smashed a six and two boundaries in the previous over. A spectacular diving catch by Sybrand Engelbrecht ended Das' innings, highlighting the Netherlands' commitment in the field. Dutt finished his spell with impressive figures of 2/17, while Paul van Meekeren (2/15) also shone with the ball for the Dutch. Despite these early setbacks, Bangladesh clawed their way back into the game. Shakib's knock, peppered with boundaries, propelled the scoreboard forward. The experienced duo of Shakib and Mahmudullah steadied the innings with a 41-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Unfortunately for Bangladesh, Mahmudullah couldn't capitalize on his start, holing out to another excellent catch by Engelbrecht in the blustery wind. However, the platform laid by Shakib and company ensured Bangladesh set a challenging total for Netherlands to chase.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh will next face Nepal on June 17 while Netherlands will take on already ousted Sri Lanka on the same day in their next T20 World Cup encounter.
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