ICC World T20 First Round: Bangladesh Vs Netherlands Played at Dharamsala, India

Bangladesh 153/7 (Tamim Iqbal 83*, Soumya Sarkar 15, Sabbir Rahman 15, T van der Gugten 3/21, PA Van Meckeren 2/17) beat Netherlands 145/7 (PW Borren 30, SJ Myburgh 30, BN Copper 20) by 8 Runs

Man of the Match: Tamim Iqbal.

Maskins (Mashrafe and Taskin) bowled miserly spells pipping Netherlands to the post after terrific Tamim playing a wonderfully paced innings of 83 earning Bangladesh 8 runs win in their first of the three matches of the qualifying round of T20 world cup.

Bangladesh has to play Oman and Ireland. Oman surprised stronger Ireland team in the other match of the day.

Losing the toss and being sent into bat on a double paced wicket none but Tamim could adjust with the vastly changed conditions. Soumya and Sabbir made start but could not get going. Even consistent Mahmudullah could not deliver. The poor form of Shakib and Mushfiqur extended. Nasir appeared rusty. Still Bangladesh scored a competitive 153/7 in allotted 20 overs.

Netherlands came to India a few days earlier and got used to conditions better after playing few warm up matches. The team possesses players who mostly plays T20 cricket. Few thought Bangladesh was at least 20 runs short. But this Bangladesh is a changed unit. They play as a team. If batting does not click bowlers deliver.

Enigmatic Mashrafe used seven bowlers. Al-Amin and Shakib got wickets. Mashrafe himself and his shadow Taskin bowled tight and accurate. Netherlands appearing to cruise at one stage was squeezed at crunch time. From 6/137 after 19th over, Taskin bowled a high value last over. His pace and accuracy did not let Netherlands go beyond 145. Bangladesh won by 8 runs.

Bangladesh was playing at home in known environment in front of charged home fans only a few days back. They left for India few hours after playing the high voltage final of Asia cup. There was hardly any time for adjusting with altitude and environment of picturesque Dharamsala. Besides, Bangladesh national team appeared in Indian venue after a decade. All these factors created a strong challenge though on current form Netherlands was not expected to push Bangladesh.

At the same time one must not also forget that Netherlands mostly play T20 format of the game and they adjusted to condition much better as they reached Dharamsala few days earlier. Admittedly professionals have to play in all conditions, adjust quickly to changing circumstances.

Bangladesh lost the toss and put into bat. Soumya looked edgy but Tamim was calm and composed. Belligerent nature of Soumya cost his wicket trying aggressive stroke in a partnership of 18-run where his contribution was 15. Consistent Sabbir joined Tamim. The pair was looking great. But again Sabbir trying to play aggressive stroke against a straight delivery was trapped plumb in front when the partnership was prospering. Shakib, Mushfiqur, Mahmudullah and Nasir came and went leaving Tamim alone to carry on the fight.

For a while prolific Shakib and reliable Mushfique are agonizing in poor form. If Bangladesh has to move into business session and give good account of themselves these two mainstays of the team must find their form ASAP. Tamim alone scored unbeaten 83 in a total of 153/7 which appeared at least 20 runs less than a winning score on a not too difficult surface.

But, Mashrafe now leads a unit which does not throw towel so easily. Taskin and Al-Amin started bowling at pace and were swinging. Scoring runs at expected rate was not easy. Al-Amin removed Barresi early. Myburgh and Copper were resurrecting the innings. Hardly any free bees were in offer. Nasir removed well set Myburgh before he could inflict major damage. Then Shakib struck two vital blows removing Cooper and Borren at critical stage. In the mean time Mashrafe with his control and accuracy put a tight leash on Netherlands batsmen. He gave away only 14 runs in his 4 overs.

Still at 6/121 after 18 overs pendulum was swinging. Hard hitting Mudassar Bukhari struck two meaty blows of Al-Amin’s 19th over. 16 runs were scored in that penultimate over. Bangladesh roared back. Soumya made an excellent save and his throw removed Bukhari as run out.

Only 14 runs required in the final over for a win. Taskin was given the task. How wonderfully he performed! Bowling full and bowling at pace he conceded only eight and earned a win by 8 runs. Tigers made a winning start.

It was a win alright but Bangladesh need to address few areas very urgently. Top order needs to stitch together partnerships. Tamim played a very responsible well-paced innings carrying the team on his broad shoulder. His unbeaten 83-run off 58 deliveries valued more than 100. He proved why shallow critics must not worry about his infrequent failures with the bat. He is a match winner.

Tamim, Soumya and Sabbir are prolific stroke makers. If they bat through the first 10 overs scoring 70 runs without much damage the experienced middle order can bat without pressure. Shakib and Mushfique are passing through lean patch. They are too good players not to regain form soon. Mahmudullah failed yesterday but will not fail everyday. Nasir looked rusty as he was playing after a while.

The batting, however, must click. Tamim alone cannot rescue the team every other day. At least three batsmen must contribute in every match.

Bowling without Mustafiz looked OK. Mashrafe bowling four tight overs especially last three without considering a boundary must be given high credit. Taskin bowling a high quality last over was excellent. We are not sure when Mustafiz will get fit. Bangladesh will get some breathing time to get used to condition. Matches against Ireland and Oman will also not be easy. Bangladesh must take the positives and build on.

BDST: 0914 HRS, MAR 10, 2016
SR