Dutch register second remarkable win over second full ICC member nation
The Netherlands pulled off yet another upset in the ICC Men’s World Cup, beating Bangladesh by a commanding margin of 87 runs at Eden Gardens. This victory was primarily attributed to the resilience of Dutch skipper Scott Edwards in the first innings while the brilliant bowling from Paul van Meekeren in the second, led Netherlands to a surprise two points.
The Dutch team were in dire straits early in their innings as they found themselves struggling at 107 for 5 in the 27th over. However, Scott Edwards emerged as the hero for his side, playing a crucial knock of 68 runs from 89 balls, providing the impetus for the lower-order batsmen to push the Netherlands to a total of 229.
Chasing a relatively modest target, Bangladesh got off to a disastrous start as Aryan Dutt, Logan van Beek, and Bas de Leede picked up early wickets. But the standout performer with the ball was Man of the Match Paul van Meekeren, who wreaked havoc among the Bangladeshi batsmen. Van Meekeren’s four-wicket haul was instrumental in reducing Bangladesh to a dismal 70 for 6, and they eventually managed to score just 143 runs.
The Dutch team’s relentless bowling attack showcased remarkable discipline, with Paul van Meekeren finishing the job by picking up four wickets in the match. The Netherlands’ superb performance was a stark contrast to their previous game, where they suffered a 305-run loss to Australia.
The Player of the Match, Paul van Meekeren, finished with figures of 4/23, providing crucial breakthroughs and ultimately securing victory for the Netherlands. The win gave them a well-deserved two points, keeping their hopes alive in the ICC World Cup.
In summary, the Netherlands’ emphatic victory over Bangladesh proved that anything and everything is possible in World Cups. With Scott Edwards leading from the front and Paul van Meekeren’s exceptional bowling, the Dutch team’s resurgence after a massive defeat against Australia sends a strong message to their competitors in the ICC Cricket World Cup.
