Cricket: Below-par Bangladesh hold off Dutch at ICC World T20
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After Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, Bangladesh were the third team to chalk up a victory at the sixth edition of the ICC World Twenty20 when they beat the Netherlands in Dharamsala, India in their Group A opener.
Tamim Iqbal stayed at the crease throughout the innings and hit three sixes in his unbeaten 83 from 58 balls as he helped Bangladesh set a mediocre target of 153-7.
The Dutch did well to restrict their opponents to such a score – an upset was within reach.
But after opener Stephan Myburgh and captain Peter Borren went for 29 and 30 respectively the team’s batting firepower waned.
Tight bowling from Bangladesh towards the end kept the Dutch in check but only just as the Europeans eventually finished eight runs short of the target leaving Bangladesh to celebrate the win.
The winners of Groups A and B will qualify for the Super 10 stage when the eight major teams – including defending champions and hosts India – enter the competition next week.