Dharamsala, March 9 (IANS) The Netherlands scared Bangladesh but fell short by eight runs in a World T20 qualifying match at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium here on Wednesday.
Pacers Timm van der Gugten (3-21) and Paul van Meekeren (2-17) spelt disaster early for Bangladesh after the Netherlands won the toss and decided to bowl. But Bangladesh, the 2016 Asia Cup finalists, were rescued by an unbeaten innings from Tamim Iqbal, who scored 83 runs from 58 deliveries.
Left-hander Tamim put Bangladesh in a strong position with three sixes and six fours that helped his side put up a competitive total of 153 for seven in 20 overs.
In reply, Stephan Myburgh (29), Ben Cooper (20) and Peter Borren (29) drove the European outfit towards upsetting Bangladesh. They were 100 for three till 15 overs, requiring 54 runs from five overs.
But left-arm spinner Shakib Al-Hasan removed Borren in the next over and Bangladesh were back in the game. Captain Mashrafe Mortaza bowled the next over and his medium pace bowling took the wicket of fresh batsman Rovert van der Merwe to damage the Dutch's chances.
Bangladesh received a further boost as pacer Taskin Ahmed conceded only six runs in the 18th over, leaving the Dutch to score 33 off 12 balls.
Al-Amin Hossain almost sealed the match for the rising Asian team by getting rid of Cooper in the first ball of the 19th over. However, the Netherlands put up a valiant fight by taking 16 runs from the remaining five deliveries of the over.
And in the final over, right-arm seamer Taskin was up to the task, giving away only eight runs as against 17 required, handing a eight-run victory to Bangladesh.
Al-Amin and Shakib picked up two wickets apiece for Bangladesh, while Nasir Hossain bagged one.
Bangladesh now face Ireland, while Oman will be the next opposition for the Netherlands on Friday.
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