An inspired performance in the field led Bangladesh to a nine-run victory over the Netherlands in their Super 12s opener in the Men’s T20 World Cup.
Defending 144, Tigers fast bowler Taskin Ahmed took two wickets with the first two balls of Netherlands’ chase.
Two run outs in the fourth over then had the Dutch reeling at 15-4 and they were unable to recover.
Colin Ackermann scored 62 from 48 balls but they were bowled out for 135, Taskin claiming an impressive 4-25.
It was Bangladesh’s first ever win outside of the first round of a Men’s T20 World Cup.
After being put in to bat, the Tigers slipped from 43-0 to 76-5, with Dutch seamer Paul van Meekeren taking 2-21.
Afif Hossain top-scored with 38 from 27 and some late hitting from Mosaddek Hossain, who made 20 not out from 12, allowed Bangladesh to post 144-8.
It looked a below-par total, but the Bangladesh bowlers responded brilliantly, assisted by some poor judgement by the Netherlands batters.
Van Meekeren struck 24 from 14 balls at number 11, but was out from the last ball of the innings as Soumya Sarkar held his nerve.
Both teams are back in action on Thursday, with Bangladesh taking on South Africa and Netherlands facing India.
Bangladesh go second behind India in Group Two, while Netherlands are now bottom on net run rate. (BBC Sport)
