Shakib, Rishad, Mustafizur star as Bangladesh close in on Super Eight

Brilliant batting and bowling see the Tigers beat the Netherlands by 25 runs

Bangladesh have brightened their chances of booking a berth in the Super Eight of T20 World Cup with a crucial 25-run victory against the Netherlands.

Chasing a target of 160 runs, the Dutch could only manage 134 for 8 at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent on Thursday.

With 56 runs needed in the last 6 overs, Rishad Hossain gave away 7 runs in the first three balls. However, in the next three balls, he took two crucial wickets, turning the game on its head.

He came back in his next over to claim another victim. Alongside him, Mustafizur Rahman bowled superbly in the death overs, preventing the Netherlands from getting close to the target.

Bangladesh now have 4 points from three matches. Their victory officially confirms Sri Lanka's exit from the tournament with only 1 point from three matches.

If the Tigers avoid defeat in their final match against Nepal, they will advance to the Super Eight without any need for calculations.

Before the excellent bowling by Rishad and Mustafizur, Shakib Al Hasan returned to form to provide a strong batting foundation, with 64 off 46 balls for his first fifty after a gap of 19 innings.

Later, the experienced all-rounder also restricted runs in the last two overs with the ball.

Shakib was awarded the man of the match, his fourth such recognition in World Cups. Only five other cricketers have won this award more times in the tournament.

Mustafizur's outstanding bowling took advantage of the wicket conditions, especially in the 17th and 19th overs where he gave away only 4 runs and took 1 wicket. Overall, he conceded only 12 runs in 4 overs.

Rishad turned around his early expensive overs brilliantly, taking 3 for just 14 towards the end.

His two wickets in the 15th over were crucial in shifting the momentum of the match. He also took a catch in the last over. So far in the World Cup, Rishad has taken 7 wickets in three matches.

Taskin Ahmed struck the first blow in the fifth over of the Netherlands' chase. In the last over of the power play, Tanjim Hasan took out opener Max O'Dowd. The Dutch responded quickly, but later on, Bangladesh bowlers managed to slow down the scoring.

In the 10th over, when Mahmudullah came on to bowl, Vikramjit Singh, trying to hit a big shot, was stumped after scoring 26 off 16 balls with 3 sixes. Later, Scott Edwards and Sybrand Engelbrecht pushed the score to 99 by the 13th over. In the next over, Shakib gave away only 5 runs, and Engelbrecht, trying to play Rishad’s leg spin, was caught after making 33 from 22 balls, ending a partnership of 42 runs.

As the innings progressed, the Dutch batting faltered. In the 17th over, Mustafizur returned to attack and immediately took the wicket of Edwards, sealing the victory for Bangladesh. Taskin then bowled Tim Pringle on the last ball.

Earlier, after losing the toss and batting first, Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das were disappointing. Shanto gave a catch at slip off a reverse sweep, and Litton was caught at deep square leg.

Under pressure, Tanzid Hasan and Shakib counterattacked. Tanzid took 18 runs, including one six, in the third over. Shakib hit four fours in the last over of the power play, scoring 19 runs in total.

The Netherlands then managed to apply some pressure, but Shakib, along with Mahmudullah, handled it, putting together a 41-run partnership in 32 balls.

Shakib completed his fifty off 38 balls, his first fifty since October 2022 and the 13th of his career. He laced his innings with 9 boundaries. Jaker Ali supported with 14 runs from 7, hitting 3 boundaries.

For the Netherlands, Van Meekeren took 2 for 15 in 4 overs, and Aryan Dutt also took 2 for 17.