Bangladesh showcased a disciplined bowling performance, effectively restricting the Netherlands to a below-par score of 229 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday, October 28. The match was played on a pitch that harkened back to the pitches of yesteryears, offering challenges to both batsmen and bowlers.
The Netherlands faced early difficulties with their top-order yet again struggling to contend with the new ball, finding themselves reeling at 63/4 in the 15th over. Despite initial appearances, the pitch proved to be on the slower side, displaying a somewhat two-paced nature. Veteran Wesley Barresi, making his first appearance in the tournament, exhibited good form but became the first victim of a sharp Mustafizur Rahman. The Dutch batsmen grappled with finding the right rhythm for their innings and adapting to the sluggish pitch.
Sybrand Engelbrecht played a pivotal role by supporting his skipper, Scott Edwards, as the pair assembled a crucial 78-run partnership to stabilize the Dutch innings. However, Netherlands couldn’t muster the late-inning acceleration they required, which had been their forte in previous games. As the ball aged, it became increasingly challenging to score against the clever variations of Bangladesh’s bowlers. Even when Edwards and Engelbrecht held the crease, scoring runs was a demanding task. Unfortunately for Netherlands, once Scott Edwards was dismissed, their innings started to crumble.
Throughout most of the match, Bangladesh executed their game plan with precision. Only towards the end did they show some signs of sloppiness when Mahedi Hasan leaked a few runs. This off-spinner missed his line against the lower-order batsmen, conceding 17 runs in the final over to Logan van Beek, providing some consolation for the Netherlands. Despite the late flourish, the total remained well below par for the pitch’s conditions.
In summary, Bangladesh’s meticulous bowling display played a decisive role in limiting the Netherlands to 229 runs, with Scott Edwards’ half-century being the standout performance for the Dutch side.
Brief Scores: Netherlands 229 in 50 overs (Scott Edwards 68, Wesley Barresi 41; Mustafizur Rahman 2-36, Mahedi Hasan 2-40) vs Bangladesh
- Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.
