Taskin Ahmed: T20 World Cup: Taskin Ahmed fires Bangladesh to win over Netherlands

Melbourne Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed picked up four wickets as he started the T20 World Cup in a nine-run win over the Netherlands in Hobart on Monday.

The Netherlands decided to bowl first and restricted Bangladesh to 144 for eight on a disappointing day at the Bellerive Oval.

Paul van Meeckeren (24) and Fred Klaasen (seven not out) put on a scintillating 34-run partnership for the final wicket as the Netherlands were bundled out within 12 runs of victory with two balls to spare.

But Van Meeckeren was unable to clear the rope from Soumya Sarkar’s final ball, leading to Bangladesh’s first victory in 17 attempts in the second round of the T20 World Cup.

Man of the match Taskin ensured that Netherlands’ chase got off to a terrific start as they removed opener Vikramjit Singh and number three Bass de Leede in the first two balls of the innings.

A half-century from all-rounder Colin Ackermann (62) kept the Netherlands in the game but Taskin was dismissed by the number four in the 17th over for two wickets.

Bangladesh will take on South Africa in their next Super 12 match in Sydney on Thursday, while the Netherlands will take on India.

Originally published at Pen 18