Bangladesh kicked off its Super 12 campaign with a 9-run win over the Netherlands in a last-over thriller clash of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Hobart on Monday.

The Netherlands bowled so well but were equally poor with the bat. The run-outs just did not help their cause. Their innings were just about one man, Colin. He seemed like he was batting on a different surface as he was scoring freely. He, though, kept losing partners. Also, there were far too many dots from the Dutch batters and in the end, the margin of defeat was just 9. 

Maybe had they rotated strike better, maybe had someone given better support to Colin Ackermann, the result could have well been different. Nevertheless, they did well to come this close after being 4 down for 15.

Earlier, the Netherlands used the Power Play to limit Bangladesh to 144 for eight in their T20 World Cup match here on Monday. Van Meekeren started the collapse by dismissing Soumya Sarkar (14; 14b; 2x4) in the Power Play, as Bangladesh lost five wickets for 33 runs.

Atif Hossan's spirited 27-ball 38 held the innings together at one end, but there was little support for him in the middle, with the likes of skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das (9) getting out cheaply. Afif smashed two boundaries and three sixes, with Mosaddek Hossain (12-ball 20 not out; 2x4, 1x6) providing support.

Shariz Ahmed, a 19-year-old leg-spinner making his T20 World Cup debut, had the prized scalp of Shakib when the Bangladesh star skipper miscued a slog sweep and was caught at the square boundary. Ahmed returned with an impressive 3-0-27-1 record.

Source: India Today

BDST: 1407 HRS, OCT 24, 2022
MN