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Match Report:

Scorecard

Bangladesh hold off Dutch challenge

'Aussie' Timm Van der Gugten shines but Tamim Iqbal leads Bangladesh to first-up win

The match in a tweet: Dutch downed in Dharamshala! The Tigers of Bangladesh roar into life as Tamim thrives where others flailed

The hero: Having missed part of the Asia Cup due to the birth of his first child, opener Tamim Iqbal returned to top form in Dharamshala - and didn't Bangladesh need him. While his top-order colleagues floundered - no other Tigers batsman managed to score more than 15 - Tamim played both the anchor role and that of aggressor in a crucial unbeaten knock of 83 from 58 balls. It was the third highest-score by a Bangladesh batsman in T20 cricket, a record of 88 not out that already belongs to Tamim, and the second-highest score by a Bangladeshi player at a World T20.

The good fortune: An inside edge that cannons into the bottom of off stump normally results in the batsman being sent on his way. Not Tom Cooper tonight, though (watch below)

WATCH: Cooper's amazing piece of good fortune

The Aussie: Fast-bowler Timm van der Gugten is one of three 'Aussies' in this Dutch side and was one of the stars of an impressive bowling performance. The Sydney-born right-armer, who made his first-class debut for NSW in 2011 and has also played for Tasmania and Hobart Hurricanes, showed why he was signed to a three-year deal by English county side Glamorgan last month. The 25-year-old broke the game open with two wickets in the 15th over of Bangladesh's innings, just as the Tigers looked set to launch towards a big total, and finished with 3-21. He bowled with good pace and variation and showed plenty of passion for The Oranje.

Image Id: ~/media/E3677770AC1142268B206462B2A8F4DA Image Caption: Australian-born Timm van der Gugten claimed three wickets // Getty Images

The support cast: He's lost more than a yard of pace over the years, but Bangladesh captain Mushrafe Mortaza is no less a bowler in the twilight years of his career. The skipper led a brilliant team bowling performance from the Tigers and deservedly picked up sensational figures of 1-14 from four overs.

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The turning point: Despite the loss of key opener Stephen Myburgh in the ninth over, the Netherlands were still a great chance of an upset win with a gettable 83 runs needed with 10 overs remaining. But the introduction of star spinner Shakib Al Hasan helped slow the scoring rate and in a matter of just three tight overs, the required run rate had ballooned beyond 10 runs an over. Shakib and fellow left-armer Arafat Sunny were particularly effective on the two-paced pitch, their variations in speed making it difficult for the Dutch to rotate the strike and forcing them to take some risks.

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The comeback I: It was a nightmare start for Dutch quick Paul van Meekeren on his World T20 debut, dropping a simple catch in the opening over that not only gave Soumya Sarkar a life but trickled into the boundary rope for four. Not to be perturbed, the pacey fast-bowler got his revenge when he had Sarkar caught behind with his very first ball and never looked back, finishing with impressive figures of 2-17 from four overs.

The comeback II: Nasir Hossain's redemption from a dropped catch was even swifter than Van Meekeren's; having put down a straight-forward chance in the outfield to give Peter Borren a life on 25, Nasir held on to a much tougher catch - fielding in the same position - just two balls later to belatedly send Borren on his way.

The stat: Tamim's innings of 83 was 54.24 per cent of Bangladesh's total, which is the second-highest percentage of runs in a completed innings for a Bangladesh batsman in T20 internationals.

Image Id: ~/media/DC00500482344FB6A331FD7819C7823D Image Caption: Bangladesh's openers walk out to bat // Getty Images

What it all means: Such is the tight nature of this opening stage of the tournament, the Netherlands already need other results to go their way to have any chance of advancing to the Super 10s. The pressure is now on them ahead of their match against Oman on Friday, which will be followed by a clash with Ireland on Sunday, while Bangladesh will face the Irish in what would be a winner-takes-all match on Friday.