Bangladesh registered their first ever victory in the second round of a T20 World Cup against the Netherlands and it was quite a historic moment for the Shakib Al Hasan-led side. In the 2021 edition, Bangladesh played five games but did not win a single match in the second round. Before that in six editions, Bangladesh have never won a second round game in T20 World Cups despite winning a Group fixture game against West Indies in 2007.
After winning the toss, the Netherlands opted to bowl first and the openers put on 43 for the first wicket inside the powerplay until Paul van Meekeren dismissed Soumya Sarkar for 14. Litton Das and Shakib Al Hasan could not contribute much to the total while Najmul Hossain Shanto was removed after a good start for 25.
The onus was on Afif Hossain and Nurul Hasan to take the side to a respectable total and the duo stitched a 44-run partnership which proved to be crucial in the end. Afif hit two fours and two sixes in his 27-ball 38 while Mosaddek Hossain’s 12 ball 20 helped Bangladesh to 144 for 8 in their 20 overs. It was Meekeren again who was the pick of the bowlers for Netherlands with 2 for 21 in his four overs.
Taskin Ahmed on a roll with two in two
Bangladesh had a brilliant start while defending the total as they managed to pick up danger man Vikramjit Singh with a fine delivery from Taskin Ahmed. Bas de Leede perished the very next ball and Taskin was on a hattrick. Two run-outs in a span of three deliveries from the inspired Bangladesh fielding side left the Dutch side tottering at 15 for 4 inside the fourth over.
Colin Ackermann was the only batter who looked in good touch with the bat while Soctt Edwards provided him good support for a brief period. The wickets kept tumbling around for the Netherlands although Ackermann played some fine shots and the right-hander reached a fantastic half-century in the process.
Ackermann was finally dismissed after a 48-ball 62 which included six fours and two sixes and it looked the game was over for the Dutch side. Van Meekeren played a valiant innings of 24 off 14 balls with three sixes and a four and kept his side in the hunt for a while. However, it was too late as Bangladesh rolled up the game by nine runs. Taskin was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 25 in his four overs while Hasan Mahmud was quite impressive.
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