Bangladesh vs Netherlands Prediction: Will Dutch power be enough?

Bangladesh face the Netherlands in a winner-takes-all clash in Group D of the T20 World Cup on Thursday.

Both sides have decamped to St Vincent after enduring mixed fortunes through their opening two matches in the United States. Read on for my Bangladesh vs Netherlands prediction.

Bangladesh vs Netherlands Odds

Bangladesh are 4/11 favourites - or a 73.3% chance - for the match, while the Netherlands are 21/10.

For Bangladesh to have the highest opening partnership, that can be backed at 8/11, while the same bet for the Netherlands is available at 11/10.

Netherlands Most Match Sixes @ 21/10

The Dutch can deliver more knockout blows than Bangladesh based on recent evidence, with the Tigers’ lack of six-hitting prowess becoming a real concern.

Monday’s four-run defeat to South Africa laid bare a glaring weakness in Bangladesh's batting lineup - the dearth of big hitters in their middle order.

Both Mahmadullah and Jaker Ali lacked the power to capitalise on three loose final-over deliveries from Keshav Maharaj, any one of which would have been spanked for six by most international batters at the tournament.

Since the start of 2023, the Tigers have recorded the second-worst balls-per-six ratio among all participating teams at this World Cup, so the Netherlands really would have to have an off day not to beat their tally of maximums here.

In a recent triangular tournament against Scotland and Ireland, the Dutch slapped 16 sixes in four games and a similar amount on Thursday might be enough to top the Tigers’ tally.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib - Bangladesh Top Wicket Taker @ 4/1

Skiddy opening bowler Tanzid claimed three top-order wickets in New York on Monday, removing Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks with good balls before luring Tristan Stubbs into a trap.

After only eight T20 internationals for his country, the 21-year-old has a strike rate of 22.5 and is clearly going places.

Tanzim got his chance when Shoriful Islam was injured on the eve of the competition and, although the more experienced man is fit again, the youngster has done enough to keep his role as opening bowler.

He has a better T20 career strike rate than all of the other bowlers available to captain Najmul Shanto and again looks good value to deliver more wickets than his teammates on Thursday.

Shakib Al Hasan - Bangladesh Top Run Scorer @ 18/5

The ‘David Beckham’ of Bangladeshi sport has played in every single T20 World Cup since the event’s inception and generally looks like he’s seen it all before.

Shakib fell for three against South Africa, skying a catch off a top edge when facing Proteas paceman Anrich Nortje.

It was a very difficult pitch to bat on in New York, but the slower surface in St. Vincent will be more of the former captain’s cup of tea.

Shakib’s T20 batting average in the West Indies is above 35, while his overall career average is down at 23.12, so it would be fair to say he appreciates Caribbean conditions.

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