Mon, 14 Mar 2011 - Bangladesh vs Netherlands, World Cup 2011, 32nd match Group B - Preview

Bangladesh have followed a pattern in the tournament so far. A defeat has followed a inspiring win and it has happened twice. After getting a pasting from Indian batsmen, Bangla Tigers came back to defend a low score against Ireland and then their lowest ever performance in limited overs crumbled folded for a paltry 58 against West Indies.

It angered fans and some of them even threw stones at the team buses after the match and it seemed Bangladesh might not be able to stage a comeback this time around. But they did and that too in some style. Not only they beat England in a nerve wrecking affair but also kept their chances of making it to the quarter finals very much alive.

Now they have the weakest team, Netherlands to play against and need to win comprehensively as by the look of the way things are shaping in group B it might boil down to better run rate eventually to get a spot in knockout stages.

Kind of a win they had against England and weaker opposition to confront with, complacency can easily creep in Bangladesh camp and it is up to team management to make them guard against that.

Netherlands performance have nose dived after giving England some tough time in their first game but would be happy not letting India to completely run away with match at Ferozshah Kotla.

There are more than one thing to like about the Dutch having ingredients to be a good side and some players full with potential. What would be worrying their coaching staff is that they aren’t translating their potential into substantial results.

One things that is one can put the money on is that there won’t lack of effort from the Dutch side and will try to give everything to make sure they are match to the home side.

Pitch, as usual, will be help for the slow bowlers and will have a low bounce that makes Bangladesh a very tough side to beat at their home.

Bangladesh

Openers were instrumental in fashioning out a win against England with Tamim Iqbal playing a breezy innings and Imrul Kayes holding together innings with his gritty half-century.

Middle order has misfired and is putting too much pressure on lower order batsmen. Monday’s encounter could well be an opportunity for likes of Shaqibul Hassan, Raqibul Hassan and Mushfiqur Rahim to turn the tables.

There might be a promotion to Shafi-ul Islam who was involved in match winning partnership against England and his partner Mahmudullah might get the same.

Bowling is Bangladesh stronger suite and on slow and low Bangladesh pitches it becomes more potent. With inexperienced Dutch batting line up to bowl against, spinners will be eager to have a ball.

Squad

Shakib-al-Hassan, Mohammad Ashraful, Tamim Iqbal, Shahriyar Nafees, Junaid Siddique, Imrul Kayes, Raqibul Hassan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Naeemul Islam, Shafi-ul-Islam, Mohammad Sohrawardi, Nazmul Hossian,  Rubel Hossian, Mahmudullah and Abdur Razzak, Coach: Jamie Siddons.

Netherlands

For Canada to harbor any chances of winning this game, they need to come up with a team performance rather than relying on individual brilliance.

Dutch have been heavily relying on Ten Doeschate and South Australian import Tom Cooper and their failure means there aren’t many runs on the board.

Skipper Peter Borren needs to bat at higher position that he is doing currently and openers need to be positive at the start of the innings.

Bowling department lacks genuine fast bowlers as most of the Associate Nations do and doesn’t have the men to trouble strong batting line ups in the tournament.

Only bright spot in the bowling effort has been left arm spinner Peter Seelar who would be  confident after getting wickets of three top Indian batsmen including that of Sachin Tendulkar.

Squad

Peter Borren (Capt), Adeel Raja, Tom Cooper, Ten Doeschate, Alex Kerveeze, Eric Scwarczyncki, Tom de Grooth, Bas Zuiderent, Bernard Loots, Bradley Kruger,  Muddasir Bukhari, Peter Seeilar, Berend Westjidk, Atse Buurmen, Wesley Barreesi, Coach: Peter Drinen.