Cricket World Cup 2023: Netherlands beat Bangladesh for second World Cup win

Oct 29: Paul van Meekeren took 4-23 and skipper Scott Edwards made a crucial 68 as the Netherlands beat Bangladesh by 87 runs to earn their second World Cup win.

Edwards' knock laid a solid platform for the Dutch to post a competitive 229 on a tricky Eden Gardens pitch.

Mehidy Miraz made 35 for Bangladesh but despite some lower-order resistance the Dutch clinically closed out an emphatic win as they were rolled for 142.

The win leaves the Netherlands eighth in the table and England bottom.

Bangladesh's top order was skilfully winkled out by some intelligent bowling from Van Meekeren, as he backed up a good start with the ball from the Dutch with the wickets of Najmul Shanto (9), Shakib Al Hasan (5) and Mushfiqur Rahim (1).

From 70-6, Bangladesh twice threatened to recover only for the Dutch to turn the screw.

A seventh-wicket stand of 38 from Mahmudullah (20) and Mahedi Hasan (17) was ended by a brilliant piece of fielding from Bas de Leede as he ran out the latter.

The Durham all-rounder then had the dangerous Mahmudullah caught by Aryan Dutt to signal the beginning of the end for Bangladesh.

Fittingly, Van Meekeren took the final wicket of Taskin Ahmed - held by De Leede in the deep - to seal a win with 46 balls left unused.

Earlier, Wesley Barresi had counter-attacked for the Netherlands after they had lost both openers early on having won the toss and batted first.

Barresi, the oldest player in the tournament at 39 years and 178 days, looked the most fluent of any Dutch batter en route to a run-a-ball 41 in his first appearance at this World Cup.

Edwards then dug in with a patient knock off 89 balls, as he made his second half-century of the tournament after being twice dropped in the same over.

The Dutch lost momentum after Edwards spooned Mustafizur Rahman, the pick of Bangladesh's bowlers with 2-36, to point but Logan van Beek biffed 23 off 16 balls to finish the innings with a flourish.

(BBC)