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 on Saturday, reports BSS.
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 in2010. The tomorrow's match so will be their only third meetings in this format.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
