Cricbuzzteam, BAN vs NED, In a thrilling cricket encounter at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Bangladesh showcased a remarkable bowling performance that left the Netherlands struggling to put up a competitive score. This match, played on October 28th, witnessed a splendid display of bowling prowess from the Bangladeshi team as they contained the Dutch batsmen, ultimately restricting them to an underwhelming total of 229 runs. Let’s delve into the details of this exciting game and understand how Bangladesh managed to control the proceedings.
The Early Struggles : BAN vs NED
The Netherlands, opting to bat first, found themselves in dire straits early on. The top-order, which had been struggling throughout the tournament, continued to grapple against the new ball. By the 15th over, they were reeling at 63/4, with their batting lineup looking fragile. However, the initial impression of the pitch being seam-friendly soon gave way to the realization that it was a slower surface with unpredictable bounce.
Wesley Barresi, playing his first game of the tournament, showed glimpses of good form amidst the wickets falling around him. However, he became the first victim of the skilled Bangladeshi pacer, Mustafizur Rahman. Rahman’s excellent bowling performance put the Dutch batters under immense pressure. The Netherlands’ batsmen struggled to find the right tempo for their innings and adapt to the sluggish nature of the pitch.
Sybrand Engelbrecht, along with skipper Scott Edwards, played a pivotal role in stabilizing the Dutch innings. The duo managed to add a vital 78-run partnership, momentarily steadying the ship for the Netherlands. But unlike their previous matches, where the lower middle-order had propelled them to competitive totals, this time, the Netherlands’ innings lacked a final flurry.
Bangladesh’s bowlers capitalized on the pitch’s slower and two-paced nature as the match progressed. Even when Edwards and Engelbrecht were at the crease, runs were hard to come by, and the Bangladeshi bowlers displayed commendable control. Eventually, once Scott Edwards, the Netherlands skipper, was dismissed, the innings took a downward spiral.
While Bangladesh’s execution was largely flawless, there was a slight hiccup towards the end. Mahedi Hasan, the off-spinner, faltered in the final over against the tailenders, conceding 17 crucial runs. This cameo by Logan van Beek provided some relief to the Netherlands, allowing them to reach a respectable total. Nevertheless, it fell short of being a competitive score for the pitch conditions.
In conclusion, Bangladesh’s controlled bowling performance played a pivotal role in keeping the Netherlands to an under-par total. The Dutch batsmen struggled to adapt to the sluggish nature of the pitch, and the lack of acceleration in the latter stages of their innings proved to be their downfall. While Bangladesh’s execution was near-perfect, a late flourish from the Netherlands’ tailenders added some respectability to their score, though it still remained below par.
Brief scores:Netherlands 229 in 50 overs (Scott Edwards 68, Wesley Barresi 41; Mustafizur Rahman 2-36, Mahedi Hasan 2-40) vs Bangladesh
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