Pacer Taskin Ahmed produced career-best figures of 4/25 as Bangladesh bounced back from an insipid batting show to defeat The Netherlands by nine runs in their opening Super-12 game of the T20 World Cup here on Monday.

Paul van Meekeren led the show with a tidy 2/21 as The Netherlands restricted Bangladesh to a modest 144/8.

Bangladesh needed to lift themselves in the bowling department and they did that via Taskin, who helped his team dismiss the opposition for 135. The fast bowler got into the act straightaway, inflicting a twin blow on the first two balls of The Netherlands’ run chase.

Colin Ackermann fought valiantly for his 48-ball 62 but did not get support from the other batters. For Bangladesh, Afif Hossain top-scored with 38. This win will provide Bangladesh with a much-needed boost after their recent losses in the lead-up to the tournament.

Defending a modest 145, Bangladesh got off to a sensational start when Taskinrattled The Netherlands with two wickets off as many balls, dismissing opener VikramjitSingh and Bas de Leede.

Bangladesh then affected two run-outs inside the Powerplay to leave The Netherlands in disarray at 15/4 inside four overs. Thanks to Ackermann, The Netherlands could create some pressure on Bangladesh.

Brief scores: Bangla 144/8 in 20 ovs (A. Hossain 38). The Netherlands 135 in 20 ovs (C. Ackermann 62; T. Ahmed 4/25). Bangla won by 9 runs.

Written with PTI inputs