Bangladesh produced a clinical all-round performance to secure an emphatic nine-wicket victory over the Netherlands in the second One-Day International (ODI) at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
The win not only sealed the three-match series 2-0 but also showcased Bangladesh’s growing dominance in limited-overs cricket.
Chasing a modest target of 104, Bangladesh reached the mark in just 13.1 overs, underlining the gulf in performance between the two sides. Tanzid Hasan was the standout performer with the bat, registering a fluent half-century, while Litton Das and Parvez Hossain Emon played supporting roles to guide the team home. The ease with which Bangladesh chased down the Netherlands’ total reflected their strong preparation and confidence throughout the series.
Earlier, the Netherlands struggled against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack, folding for just 103 runs in 17.3 overs. Nasum Ahmed spearheaded the bowling effort with a brilliant spell of 3 for 21, while Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman chipped in with two wickets each. The Dutch batting line-up crumbled under sustained pressure, with Aryan Dutt being the lone bright spot, scoring 30 runs from 24 balls. However, his efforts were not enough to lift the Netherlands to a competitive total.
Litton Das, the Bangladesh captain, credited his players for their hard work in training and praised their execution of plans. He highlighted the importance of consistent performances from bowlers like Mustafizur and Taskin while commending Nasum for stepping up despite limited match time in recent months. Das emphasized that Bangladesh would continue to focus on building team depth and improving with each outing.
On the other hand, Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards admitted his team fell short of expectations. He pointed out that failing to read the conditions and putting up only 103 runs left them with little chance to challenge Bangladesh. Edwards acknowledged the need for better shot selection and improved fielding as they aim to restore pride in the final match.
The series finale is scheduled for Wednesday, September 3, at the same venue, where Bangladesh will aim for a clean sweep, while the Netherlands will seek redemption and a morale-boosting win.
Player of the Match, Nasum Ahmed, expressed his delight at contributing to the team’s victory and credited pre-match preparation, including practising with wet balls to counter dew, for his success. His spell proved decisive in dismantling the Netherlands’ batting order early on.
With this commanding win, Bangladesh continue to solidify their reputation as a rising force in ODI cricket, while the Netherlands will need to regroup quickly and put up a stronger fight in the concluding fixture of the series.