Bangladesh put up a mediocre 144-8 after the most of the batters failed to value their start in their first match of the ongoing T20 World Cup against Netherlands at the Bellerive Oval here today (Oct 24). 

Afif Hossain was the top-scorer for the side with 27 ball-38, hitting two fours and as many sixes. Bangladesh needed him to finish the things off but he was dismissed in the 18th over, leaving Bangladesh at least 20 runs short of their desired target.

Bangladesh's only hope to defend the total is now the lack of experience of Netherlands at this level.

After being asked to bat first, Bangladesh got a solid start from Najmul Hossain and Soumya Sarkar who gave the fans hopes with a flurry of boundaries in the first powerplay.

But as Bangladesh looked to take the stranglehold, pacer Paul van Meekeren dismissed Soumya for 14 to begin the rot.

Najmul Hossain Shanto was undone by the left-arm spin of Tim Pringle as Bangladesh moved to 47 in the first six overs, a start that was counted fairly good. But Shanto's dismissal on 25 runs damaged Bangladesh further.

Liton Das, captain Shakib Al Hasan and Yasir Ali then were removed in single digit figure as Bangladesh were reduced to 76-5 in the 11th over.

Afif drove the side past 100, playing with the serenity that made him the Bangladesh's consistent run-getter in the T20 format. Mossaddek gave him the apt support and played a knock of 20 not out off 12 which gave Bangladesh something to defend amid huge disappointing batting.

Paul van Meekeren, Das de Leede took two wickets each for Netherlands while Pringle, Shariz Ahmad, Logan van Beek and Fred Klaassen picked up one wicket apiece.

BDST: 1228 HRS, OCT 24, 2022
MN