T20 World Cup 2024: Shakib finds form as Bangladesh posts competitive total against Netherlands

ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024: Bangladesh vs Netherlands in Kingstown on June 13, 2024.

The seasoned Shakib Al Hasan roared back to form with a sublime 46-ball 64 as Bangladesh posted a competitive 159 for five against Netherlands in their must-win group match of the T20 World Cup in Kingstown on June 13.

Besides Shakib, Tanzid Hasan struck 35 off 26 balls and Mahmudullah chipped in with 25 off 21. Jaker Ali came in and blazed away to 14 in just 7 balls.

With Bangladesh starting their innings with two left-handers, Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards tossed the new ball to off-spinner Aryan Dutt in the second over, and the move paid instant dividends as they got the big wicket of Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (1).

The Dutch would do well to thank the Bangladesh captain for his horrendous shot selection as he went for a needless reverse sweep to be out caught in the first slip.

Dutt also accounted for Litton Das at the beginning of fourth over thanks to a stunning catch in the deep by a sprinting Sybrand Engelbrecht. After Das swept Dutt towards square leg, Engelbrecht covered a lot of ground and dived full-length to pull off the catch.

The shot Das played was also unnecessary given that Tanzid Hasan had picked up two boundaries and a six in the previous over. For the maximum, Tanzid danced down the ground and flayed it over covers.

The only change in the Dutch line-up for this vital Group D match, Dutt vindicated the team management's decision by returning excellent figures of 2/17 in his full quota of four overs. Paul van Meekeren (2/15) was also brilliant with the ball.