da mrbet： Bangladesh beat Holland in a rain affected group B match at theMoratuwa De Soysa Stadium in Colombo
Simon Williams16-Jan-2000Bangladesh beat Holland in a rain affected group B match at theMoratuwa De Soysa Stadium in Colombo. In reply to Holland’s 137,Bangladesh were 111 for 5 before rain forced the players off the fieldafter 24.5 overs. When play resumed, Bangladesh were set a revisedtarget of 118 in no more than 39 overs, 11 overs being lost torain. They needed just five balls to complete the win, no furtherwickets being lost. Bangladesh narrowly miss out on qualifying for theSuper League, finshing third in the Group behind India and NewZealand.At the outset there was the very real possibility that Bangladeshcould qualify. They knew what they must do – simply win and win wellin a bid to improve on their run rate. Hopes then rested squarely onthe Indians beating New Zealand in Galle, the second qualifier thenbeing decided on run rate. All then to play for.The game began with a flourish. Roaring in from the Press Box end inbright sunshine, Bangladesh left arm seamer Bikash Ranjan Das met withimmediate success – Postma prodding half forward to the first ball ofthe day, out caught with the faintest of edges to the keeper. Bikashbroke the backbone of Holland’s order. Bakas, Nawaz and Van Ierschotall went cheaply. At 17 for 4, Bangladesh were in total command.The new batsmen, Van Bunge and De Rooy, needed to dig themselves inand consolidate. Some inexperienced cricket ensued by both teams. Assoon as one shot was played over the top, the captain of Bangladeshdecided to spread the field, at one stage employing five fielders onthe boundary, just when the should have been applying thepressure. The batsmen were afforded the freedom to work the ball intothe gaps for one and twos. Instead they chose the more attackingoption, entirely unconvincing in their strokeplay against the legspinners and appearing to play into Bangladesh’s hands.Van Bunge (24)and De Rooy (26) shared in a suicidal fifth wicket standof 47. Hussain eventually removed both, Van Bunge leg before wicket,De Rooy caught in the covers. The final total of 137 in the 47th overowed much to the last wicket partnership of 25 and as many as 42extras. It was an abject display of batting. Bikash Ranjan Dasreturned excellent figures of 4 for 7 in his full quota.The Bangladesh innings got off to a flying start, 14 runs coming in awayward first over by Tewarie. Left hander Haqub proved theirintentions. He dashed to 20 before trying to make room for himself andskying a simple catch to point, the score on 59 for 2, runs beingscored at a healthy five an over on an increasingly unfriendlytrack. Disciplined bowling, particularly from Klaus Kout kept Hollandin the game. Two quick wickets of Sarker and Salim in consecutiveovers, buoyed the fielding side, the Bangladesh middle ordersacrificing their wickets in the search for quick runs. Then the raincame with the score on 111 for 5 in 24.5 overs and with it wentBangladesh’s chances of qualifying for the Super League. Eleven overswere lost according to Duckworth/Lewis and when play resumed,Bangladesh were set a revised total of 118. Four deliveries later thetarget was reached, Bangladesh finshing on 119 for 5.Bangladesh came into this match with a net run rate of 2.44. WithDuckworth/Lewis into effect here, Bangladesh could not improve thatrate. New Zealand were beaten by India in Galle, a 28-run defeat notsignificant enough for Bangladesh to advance. Equal on three pointseach, New Zealand qualify with a superior run rate. The rain Godsreversed the fortunes in the end.Bangladesh, along with Holland, two rapidly developing cricketnations, must now look to making a strong challenge in the Platecompetition. Talking to CricInfo, an upbeat Bangladesh coach Dipu RoyChowdury praised the side’s performance and looked forward to thefuture. “This was a win we very badly needed. We have to mould ourside. We played badly against India in a way that did not describe thetalents we have. Today I can say we do have the talent and I amconfident we can go and win the Plate.”