A success-hungry Bangladesh overcame the challenge of acclimatisation to record a morale-boosting eight-run win over the Netherlands and started its World T20 campaign on an encouraging note at the HPCA Stadium here on Wednesday.
Asked to bat first, Bangladesh relied on seasoned opener Tamim Iqbal’s responsible and forceful unbeaten 83 to put up a decent 153 for seven and checked the Dutchmen to earn some crucial points from the qualifier. Tamim's mature innings camouflaged other Bangladesh batsmen’s failure and kept the side on track. Adapting well to the conditions, Tamim responded to the slowness of the pitch to find the gaps and bat through the innings. He used his supple wrists and agile feet to good effect to cut, pull and drive the Netherlands bowlers, mostly on the off-side.
Composed inningsTamim, who scored more than 50 per cent of the Bangladesh's runs, never lost his composure despite witnessing regular fall of wickets at the other end.
He hammered six fours and three sixes in his 58-ball 83.
The Netherlands gained from the disciplined efforts of Timm van der Gugten (three for 21) and Paul van Meekeren (two for 17). In fact, Gugten’s double blow in the 15th over, in which the Australia-born bowled a good line to castle Mahmudullah (10) and Mushfiqur Rahim (0), applied brakes on Bangladesh’s progress in the death overs.
Useful contributions from Peter Borren (30 off 28), Stephan Myburg (29 off 29) and Ben Cooper (20 off 15) kept the Dutch team in the run chase.
However, some fine bowling performances from spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Arafat Sunny and seamers Taskin Ahmed and Mashrafe Mortaza who conceded only three runs in the 17th over, spoiled the Netherlands’s plans. Young Al-Amin Hossain chipped in with two important wickets.
The scores: Bangladesh 153 for seven in 20 overs (Tamim Iqbal 83 n.o., Timm van der Gugten three for 21, Paul van Meekeren two for 17) bt The Netherlands 145 for seven in 20 overs (Peter Borren 30, Stephan Myburg 29, Al-Amin Hossain two for 24, Shakib Al Hasan two for 29).
