Bangladesh cricket plunged to its lowest ebb when its national team suffered a crushing 87-run defeat to Netherlands in their sixth game of the ICC Cricket World Cup at Eden Gardens in Kolkata today.
This was Bangladesh's fifth straight defeat in the showcase event and it came against a team which is finding its feet into the International cricket.
Netherlands put up a competitive 229 before being bowled out in 50 overs, after having a disastrous start. In a pitch, that suited Bangladesh more than the Dutch, the Tigers as it was adorably called, showed a shameless batting performance to be skittled out for just 142 in 42.2 overs.
Pacer Paul van Meekeren was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming his career-best 4-23 while Bas de Leede snapped up 2-25. Bangladesh batters in fact found them in wanting against all of the bowlers of Dutch, who earlier shocked mighty South Africa by 38 runs in the tournament.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the top-scorer for Bangladesh with 35 while Mahmudllah Riyad and Mustafizur Rahman scored identical 20 runs.
Pacer Ayan Dutt gave the Dutch a good start, getting the better of Liton Das who made just 3 and Logan van Beek left Bangladesh at 19-2, taking the wicket of Tanzid Hasan Tamim after he scored 15.
Meekeren then sent Bangladesh at the receiving end, dismissing Najmul Hossain Shanto (9), captain Shakib Al Hasan (5) and Mushfiqur Rahim (1) in a gem of pace bowling.
Bas de Leede in between removed Miraz as Bangladesh were slumped to 70-6. It was to see whether Bangladesh could still produce miracle to win the game, thanks to any magic from Mahmudullah Riyad.
But it was not to be as de Leede dismissed him to edge the side closer to the victory. Mustafizur put some resistance which only reduced the margin as Meekeren fittingly ended the game, taking the wicket of Taskin Ahmed.
Meekeren was adjudged man of the match.
Bangladesh bowlers bowled in disciplined manner after getting a pitch particularly to their likings but Netherland showed a spirited performance to put on a challenging total.
Captain Scot Edwards made team-high 68 and played a key role in helping the side propel past 200 runs mark after an initial collapse.
Edwards won the toss and opted to bat first in a wicket that looked slow, suited Bangladesh bowlers' strength.
New ball bowlers Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed who returned to the squad after recovering from his injury struck to remove two openers for single digit figure, leaving the Dutch for 4-2.
Wesley Barresi resisted and made run-a-ball-41 with eight fours before Mustafizur Rahman had him caught by captain Shakib Al Hasan.
Soon after the captain struck to derail the Dutch further as he got the better of dangerman Colin Ackermann for 15.
With the side reeling at 63-4, Edwars took the onus. He shared a 44-run partnership with Bas de Leede (17) and thereafter stitched 78-run with Sybrand Engelbrecht to take the side to a good position.
Mustafizur Rahman however dismissed Edwards after he smashed six fours for his 89 ball-68 runs knock.
After his dismissal, Bangladesh looked to bowl the Dutch out for cheaply but Logan Van beek hit 16 ball23 not out, including 17 in the last over to help the side post a challenging total.
Shoriful, Taskin, Mustafizur and Mahedi all took two wickets apiece for Bangladesh.
