In the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, Bangladesh easily defeated Netherlands by 25 runs on Thursday, June 13. The Netherlands lost yet another close match. Because of their victory, the Bangla Tigers have advanced to the Super Eight round, the main event’s next stage.
The Asian team’s seasoned all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who made a crucial unbeaten fifty (64* off 46) to lead his team to a challenging 159/5 in 20 overs, stood out as he returned to form. Aryan Dutt foxed (2/17) both Litton Das and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, while opener Tanzid Hasan (35 off 27) also contributed to the team’s respectable comeback after Bangladesh lost two wickets in short succession.
In the meantime, Tom Pringle, Paul van Meekeren (2/15), Dutt, and a few other Dutch bowlers made a combined contribution for the Netherlands. But even though they had a respectable start, the Dutch team was unable to form a strong alliance in the run chase. Mustafizur Rahman kept his team in the chase for Bangladesh with an outstanding run-stripping session. Later, after Scott Edwards and Sybrand Engelbrecht attempted to push the game far, leg spinner Rishad wrecked havoc by tearing apart the middle order batting. The Netherlands lost easily to Bangladesh as a result of their inability to meet the goal.
Also read: T20 World Cup 2024: NED’s Qualification Scenario: Can they advance past Bangladesh to the Super 8?
Shakib Al Hasan, Player of the Match:
It was important for someone from top-four to bat through the innings. Happy to contribute. It was a tough pitch at the start, we held our nerves. Was a challenging total, not a winning one, but bowlers chipped in perfectly. Rishad and Fizz took it away from Netherlands. Hardly any international game was played in the last 4-5 years here. So, we didn’t know what a good score was and had to keep wickets till 14-15 overs and take it from there. 160 in a WC game is always tricky.
Netherlands had their moments, 10 runs an over on this ground in the last 7-8 overs, wind going in one way, made it tough to defend. But credit to bowlers for pulling it off. Neck braces was for batting and it did help.
Scott Edwards, losing captain:
We lost in all three facets. Credit to Bangladesh, they were great and we weren’t up to it. They kept wickets in hand. Would be tough to bowl to a windy boundary. Stand between him and Sybrand – We knew they had quality bowlers at the death and wanted to maximise the middle overs but fell quickly. Aryan has been sensational in the last couple years and used the conditions well. It’s a bit out of our hands now. Want to play well vs Sri Lanka and see how it goes from there.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, winning captain:
Boys showed lot of character in an important match. Shakib’s calm and we know how good he is. Happy for him. (Total) We didn’t know how the conditions will behave and what score is defendable. In the end batters and bowlers did well. Pitch is good, there was uneven bounce early on but good to bat on. Conditions were good. Fizz, we know how good he is. Showed his experience and skill. Rishad stood up like all the bowlers.
India
