DHAKA, Oct 27, 2023 (BSS)- Bangladesh are expected to seal their second
victory in the ICC Cricket World Cup when they take on Netherlands in their
sixth match of the showcase event at Eden Gardens in Kolkata tomorrow
(Saturday).

The match starts at 2.30 PM (Bangladesh Time).

Bangladesh began the World Cup with a six-wicket win over Afghanistan but
thereafter lost four straight matches, which sent them at the receiving end.
Nonetheless, a victory against Netherlands is highly expected given the gulf
of the difference between the two teams in experience and strength.

Both Netherlands and Bangladesh won one match with the former's 35-run
victory against South Africa considered as one of the biggest upset in
cricket's history.

Netherlands currently are languished at bottom of the table in net run rate
and Bangladesh are one place higher of them in 10-team tournament.

Both of the teams head into this match after suffering a crushing defeat
against two different opponents. Netherlands tasted ODI history's second
biggest defeat when Australia demolished them by 309 runs after posting a
399-8. Bangladesh conceded 382-5 against South Africa before losing the match
by 149 runs.

Bangladesh came into this World Cup with an aim to reach in the semifinals
but that hopes are dented following four straight defeats. However, on paper
they were clean favourite to win two matches-they had already beaten
Afghanistan and now Netherlands are in their way.

Both the teams met only once in cricket's biggest extravaganza in 2011 when
Bangladesh co-hosted the tournament alongside India and Sri Lanka. In that
edition Bangladesh beat the Dutch by six wickets after dismissing them for
just 160 in 46.2 overs. Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah
Riyad are the only three survivors from that game.

But Netherlands beat Bangladesh by six wickets in their first ever meeting in
2010. The tomorrow's match so will be their only third meetings in this
format.

Netherlands, no doubt, will search inspiration from their victory against
South Africa as they would like to upset another applecart.

With honour at stake, Bangladesh will be desperate to end the losing streak
in World Cup to give the fans some relief.

Ahead of the match, Bangladesh Captain Shakib Al Hasan, who has been in
serious bad patch, returned to Dhaka to work on the technical aspects of his
batting with his childhood mentor Najmul Abedin Fahim. He joined the team in
Kolkata just ahead of the match.

It is to see if he can hit back to form after working extensively with his
mentor. Sakib was booed by the fans in Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket
Stadium while he was leaving the ground after ending his practice session.
The incident was the testament of how disappointed the fans were following
Bangladesh's dismal performance.

A result other than a victory against Netherlands surely will leave the
country's cricket at hell.

Squad:

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Liton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul
Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad,
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur
Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam and Tanzim Hasan Sakib

Netherlands: Scott Edwards (c), Max O'Dowd, Bas de Leede, Vikram Singh, Teja
Nidamanuru, Paul van Meekeren, Colin Ackermann, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan
van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Ryan Klein, Wesley Barresi, Saqib Zulfiqar, Shariz
Ahmad and Sybrand Engelbrecht.