Sylhet, August 30, 2025 –
Bangladesh vs Netherlands – 1st T20I: Taskin Ahmed’s Fiery Spell and Litton Das’ Fifty Power Hosts to Dominant Eight-Wicket Win
Bangladesh began their three-match T20I series against the Netherlands with a resounding eight-wicket win at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Spearheaded by Taskin Ahmed’s four-wicket burst and finished by captain Litton Das’ blistering half-century, the Tigers proved too strong for their Dutch visitors, stamping their authority ahead of the Asia Cup 2025.
Toss and Match Conditions
On a humid evening with traces of grass on the wicket, Bangladesh captain Litton Das opted to bowl first, banking on early seam movement and dew in the second innings. His decision proved perfect, as Taskin and the new-ball attack exploited the surface to leave the Dutch reeling.
Netherlands Innings: Bright Start, Brutal Collapse
Netherlands openers Max O’Dowd and Michael Levitt started cautiously, respecting Taskin’s pace and Mustafizur’s cutters. However, the breakthrough came quickly: O’Dowd edged Taskin behind, and from there, the innings faltered.
Vikramjit Singh showed glimpses of resistance, scoring a quick 20, but Bangladesh’s bowlers rotated well. Skipper Scott Edwards attempted to rebuild, but Saif Hassan’s off-spin deceived him, drawing a false shot.
Middle-order stability was missing—Bas de Leede fell cheaply, while Nidamanuru (28 off 26) was the lone bright spot. His composed innings, dotted with well-placed boundaries, carried the Netherlands into triple figures.
Taskin returned in the death overs, cleaning up the tail and finishing with 4/28, restricting the Dutch to 136/8 in 20 overs.
Netherlands Innings Breakdown:
- Powerplay: 39/2 (6 overs) – cautious, wickets hurt momentum
- Middle overs: 70/5 (overs 7–15) – collapse began
- Death overs: 27/3 (last 5 overs) – Taskin’s finishing burst
Bangladesh’s Chase: Litton’s Authority and Saif’s Finishing Touch
The modest target of 137 never looked threatening. Bangladesh did lose Parvez Hossain Emon early, trapped on the crease by Aryan Dutt, but Litton Das took charge.
The skipper smashed 54 off 26 balls, mixing elegant drives with lofted sixes over midwicket. His intent ensured Bangladesh were ahead of the required run rate from the outset.
After Litton’s dismissal, Saif Hassan showcased his all-round value, backing up his bowling with a fluent 36 off 25 balls*, steering Bangladesh comfortably. His ability to rotate strike and punish loose deliveries nullified any Dutch hopes of a comeback.
Veteran Shakib Al Hasan chipped in with a quick cameo, ensuring the chase wrapped up in 13.3 overs, giving Bangladesh an eight-wicket victory.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 136/8 | 20 overs | — |
| Bangladesh | 138/2 | 13.3 overs | Won by 8 wickets (lead 1–0) |
Player of the Match: Taskin Ahmed (4/28) – for dismantling the Dutch batting and setting up the win.
Key Moments
- Taskin’s Double Blow: His early strikes removed both openers, setting the tone.
- Middle-Order Collapse: Netherlands lost 5 wickets for 31 runs between overs 7–14.
- Litton’s Captain’s Knock: His half-century killed Dutch momentum early in the chase.
- Saif Hassan’s All-Round Brilliance: Two wickets + unbeaten 36* made him Bangladesh’s utility star.
Reactions
Litton Das (Bangladesh captain):
“We executed perfectly. Taskin was outstanding, Saif contributed in both departments, and as a captain, it’s satisfying to see the team clicking.”
Taskin Ahmed (Player of the Match):
“The wicket had something in it for fast bowlers. I just tried to hit the right lengths and the results came.”
Scott Edwards (Netherlands captain):
“We were 20–25 runs short. Our batters need to adapt quicker to conditions here. Credit to Bangladesh, they outplayed us in every department.”
Analysis: What This Win Means
For Bangladesh, the win highlights their bowling depth and batting maturity. Taskin’s rhythm, Mustafizur’s variations, and Saif’s off-spin form a versatile attack. Batting-wise, Litton’s aggression at the top has given the team a template for future chases.
For the Netherlands, the batting frailty against quality pace and spin remains a concern. Despite Nidamanuru’s effort, lack of partnerships was glaring. The bowling too failed to build pressure as Bangladesh’s top order scored freely.
With the Asia Cup looming, Bangladesh’s form bodes well, while the Netherlands must regroup before the second T20I.
Source
You can read more from ESPNCricinfo
