ICC World T20: Bangladesh Start Campaign With Win Over Netherlands
Bangladesh, put into bat, scored a fighting 153 for seven thanks to Tamim Iqbal. The Netherlands gave their opponents a run for their money but ultimately experience prevailed and the minnows were restricted to 145 for seven in their 20 overs.
Opener Tamim Iqbal struck an unbeaten 83 to guide Bangladesh past a spirited Netherlands by eight runs in their first group encounter of the ICC World T20 in Dharamsala on Wednesday. (Afghanistan, Zimbabwe Notch Up Gritty Wins In Opening Matches of World T20)
Put into bat, Bangladesh suffered from a lack of partnerships but Tamim, with his fourth T20 half-century, almost single-handedly lifted the score to 153 for seven.
It was a disappointing show of batting from a side which sparkled in the recently concluded Asia Cup, where the hosts ended runners-up after a keenly contested final against India.
Tamin though remained unaffected with the wicket-fall as the left-hander smacked six boundaries and three sixes during his 58-ball stay.
Netherlands medium-pacer Timm van der Gugten led the charge with three wickets as Paul van Meekeren and left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merve got three scalps between them.
The Dutch batsmen also put up a brave show to give Bangladesh a run for their money but ultimately experience prevailed and the minnows were restricted to 145 for seven in their 20 overs.
Opener Stephen Myburgh provided a solid start to the Orange brigade and skipper Peter Borren took it forward but left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan's twin strike put a lid on Dutch hopes.
In the end, lower-order batsman Mudassar Bukhari provided a scare with his five-ball 14 but his runout spelt the end for the Netherlands, who are making their third appearance in the tournament.
Mashrafe Morataza-led Bangladesh are favourites to top their group and move into the Super 10 stage of the 16-team event.
Ireland will take on Oman in the second Group A fixture of the day.