Bangladesh smash Netherlands to win third consecutive T20I series

Bangladesh produced a complete performance with both ball and bat to seal the three-match T20I series against the Netherlands with one game still to play. After a ruthless display from the bowlers skittled the visitors for just 103, the batters made light work of the chase, cruising to victory by nine wickets with 41 balls to spare at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Bowling sets the tone

Having won the toss and elected to field, skipper Liton Das was rewarded almost immediately as his bowlers thrived on a surface offering grip and bounce. The Netherlands were under pressure from the outset, losing wickets regularly and failing to stitch together meaningful partnerships.

Opener Vikramjit Singh top-scored among the top order with 24, but the rest struggled against the disciplined attack. Number nine Aryan Dutt's spirited 30 provided rare resistance, helping his side limp past the 100-run mark after they had collapsed to 81 for 9. Apart from Shariz Ahmad's 12, no other batter reached double figures as the Dutch were bundled out in just 17.3 overs.

Bangladesh's bowlers shared the honours. Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed was the standout, finishing with 3 for 21. Mustafizur Rahman's clever variations fetched him 2 for 18, while Taskin Ahmed's pace brought 2 for 22. Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with a wicket each. Though Mehidy proved the most expensive of the attack, conceding 24 runs from 3.3 overs, he maintained control when it mattered.

Tanzid leads the chase

Chasing a modest target of 104, Bangladesh never allowed the Netherlands a way back into the contest. Openers Parvez Hossain and Tanzid Hasan began positively, adding 40 in just 5.3 overs to lay a solid foundation. After Parvez's dismissal, Liton Das joined Tanzid in the middle, and together they ensured there would be no further hiccups.

Tanzid was the star of the chase, continuing his fine form at the top of the order. The left-hander struck a fluent, unbeaten 54 from 40 balls, decorated with four boundaries and two sixes. On his way to the half-century, he also extended his record for the most sixes hit by a Bangladeshi batter in a calendar year in T20Is. Liton provided able support, remaining 18 not out off 18 deliveries as the pair added an unbroken 64-run partnership for the second wicket.

Victory was sealed in the first ball of the 14th over, when Tanzid drove Kyle Klein to the boundary, sparking celebrations in the Bangladesh camp.

Series success continues winning run

The win, achieved with nine wickets and 41 balls in hand, went down as Bangladesh's third-largest margin of victory in T20Is in terms of unused deliveries and their second-biggest by wickets. More importantly, it ensured a third consecutive T20I series triumph for Liton's men, following successes earlier this year against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

For Bangladesh, the performance ticked all the boxes — incisive bowling, sharp fielding, and a confident batting display led by Tanzid. With the series now secured, they will aim for a clean sweep in the final match, while the Netherlands will look to salvage pride and avoid a whitewash.