Bangladesh: 159-5 (20 overs) | Top Scorer: Shakib 64*; Key Bowler: van Meekeren 2-15
Netherlands: 134-8 (20 overs) | Top Scorer: Engelbrecht 33; Key Bowler: Rishad 3-33
Result: Bangladesh won by 25 runs
Bangladesh made a significant stride towards securing a spot in the T20 World Cup Super 8s by clinching a 25-run win over the Netherlands in St Vincent.
Shakib Al Hasan, with an unbeaten 64 off 46 balls, anchored Bangladesh's innings, leading them to a total of 159 after the team faced early setbacks from Aryan Dutt's impressive bowling.
During the chase, the Netherlands matched the required run rate initially, with Vikram Singh smashing three sixes in a lively 26 before being stumped by Litton Das.
The game shifted in Bangladesh's favour when young leg-spinner Rishad Hossain took crucial wickets of Sybrand Engelbrecht and Bas de Leede in the 15th over, halting the Dutch progress at 111-5. The Netherlands managed only 23 runs in their final five overs.
With this victory, Bangladesh moved two points ahead of the Netherlands in Group D. A win against Nepal on Monday (01:30 BST) will guarantee their advancement to the next round.
Conversely, the Netherlands must rely on a defeat by Bangladesh in their upcoming match while aiming for a significant victory against Sri Lanka to balance the run-rate deficit and stay in the tournament.
Veteran Shakib Finds His Form Again
Shakib entered the match under scrutiny, having scored single digits in Bangladesh's previous two games of the tournament. He stepped up at the Arnos Vale Stadium after Bangladesh stumbled to 23-2, thanks to a spectacular diving catch by Engelbrecht that dismissed Das.
Navigating through a quiet middle period, Shakib picked up the pace, forming valuable partnerships first with Mahmudullah and later with Jaker Ali, scoring 29 from the last 15 balls to lift Bangladesh’s total.
The late surge provided excitement for the crowd enjoying St Vincent’s first international match in nearly ten years.
On the bowling front, Shakib faced some challenges, conceding back-to-back sixes to Singh in his second over but managed to finish with respectable figures of 0-29 from his four overs.
However, it was 21-year-old spinner Rishad Hossain who shone brightest in Bangladesh’s bowling attack. His crucial wickets of Engelbrecht and De Leede dashed the Netherlands' hopes, and he also took a smart catch and bowled to dismiss Logan van Beek, sealing Bangladesh's win.
Match Implications and Next Steps
Bangladesh’s position at the top of Group D is strengthened with this win, setting up a decisive match against Nepal to secure their place in the Super 8s. The Netherlands, on the other hand, will need a combination of favourable outcomes to stay in contention, depending on the results of their final group match against Sri Lanka and the Bangladesh-Nepal game.