T20 WORLD CUP:- Bangladesh beats Netherlands by 8 runs

Bangladesh defeated the Netherlands by eight runs in a Group A first-round match at the World Twenty20 on Wednesday (Thursday NZ Time).

Coming off a fine run to the Asia Cup final last weekend, Bangladesh was favorite to qualify for the Super 10 stage from Group A which also includes Ireland, which elected to bat after winning the toss against Oman, in the second match.

Left-handed opening batsman Tamim Iqbal hit a brisk unbeaten 83 from 58 balls, including six fours and three sixes, as Bangladesh put up 153-7. The Netherlands was restricted to 145-7, with Al-Amin Hossain and the experienced Shakib Al Hasan sharing two wickets each.

Netherlands captain Peter Borren and Stephan Myburgh were joint top-scorers with 29 runs each, but Bangladesh struck at regular intervals to keep the pressure on.