Bangladesh qualify, Netherlands beat Ireland

Tamim played one more splendid innings

Dharamsala, March 13 (IANS) Bangladesh defeated Oman by 54 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis system in a rain-affected match to qualify for the main draw of the World T20 tournament here on Sunday.

Left-hander Tamin Iqbal hammered an unbeaten 103 off just 63 balls as Bangladesh posted an imposing 180 for two from their allotted 20 overs in the last Group A match at the HPCA Stadium here tonight. Iqbal was given support by Sabbir Rahman (44).

In the process, Tamin became the first player to score a century in this World T20.

Rain interrupted the proceedings and Oman were given a revised target of 120 runs in 12 overs. They could only manage 65/9 with Jatinder Singh (25) managing the maximum runs for Oman. Left-arm spinner Shakib al Hasan was the most successful Bangladesh bowler with 4/15 in 3 overs.

In another match earlier in the day, The Netherlands prevailed over Ireland by 12 runs in a six over-per-side rain-curtailed inconsequential qualifying contest at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium here on Sunday.

Ireland won the toss and decided bowl first and allowed the Netherlands to post 59 runs for five wickets in six overs in the Group A encounter. Opening batsman Stephan Myburgh scored 27 runs from 18 deliveries.

In reply, Ireland opening batsman Paul Sterling gave them a flying start with a personal score of 15 in seven deliveries.

But the Irish lost their way due to superb medium fast bowling from Paul van Meekeren, who picked up four wickets for 11 runs in two overs.

Left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe took two wickets for three runs in the crucial fourth ovfer he bowled and conceded just three runs. After his over, Ireland needed 25 in 12 balls. In the next over, Mudassar Bukhari gave away only five runs, paving the way for the win.

The Netherlands have three points from three matches, while Ireland have one point.