Bangladesh made light work of the Netherlands in the first T20I of the three-match series, securing a dominant 1-0 series lead with a clinical 39-ball demolition of their 136-run target at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Facing a modest total, the hosts chased down the 137-run target with ease, reaching 138 for 2 in just 13.3 overs, eight wickets and nearly seven overs to spare.

Emon’s explosive start sets the tone

Opener Parvez Hossain Emon lit up the early overs with a blistering cameo, smashing 15 runs off just 8 balls, including two fours and a towering six off Dutch spinner Aryan Dutt in the very first over. His aggressive intent sent an immediate message: Bangladesh weren’t here to play safe.

But the fireworks were short-lived. Emon fell in the third over, clean bowled by Dutt, giving the Dutch a brief window of hope.

That hope was quickly extinguished by a devastating 66-run second-wicket stand between Tamim Iqbal (29 off 24) and Liton Das, who once again proved why he’s Bangladesh’s most explosive T20 finisher.

Liton and Saif seal the deal in style

Liton Das was in no mood for caution. He slammed a blistering 54 not out off 26 balls, laced with eight boundaries and two sixes, bringing up his half-century in just 26 deliveries, the 13th T20 fifty of his international career.

He was brilliantly supported by Saif Hasan, who remained unbeaten on 36 off 19 balls, accelerating in the death overs with ruthless precision. The duo put on an unbroken 72-run stand off just 34 balls to slam the door shut on the Dutch.

Netherlands’ batting falls flat

Earlier, the Netherlands struggled to build momentum after being sent in. Their innings of 136 for 8 never truly threatened, lacking both fluency and firepower.

Teja Nidamanuru top-scored with a scratchy 26 off 26, while Max O`Dowd (23 off 15), Tim Pringle (16 off 14), and Shariz Ahmed (15 off 14) provided brief cameos but failed to capitalise.

Bangladesh’s bowlers kept the pressure relentless. Taskin Ahmed was the standout performer, ripping through the middle order to claim 4 for 28, earning him the Player of the Match award. Saif Hasan chipped in with 2 for 22, and Mustafizur Rahman added a wicket to maintain his rhythm.

For the Netherlands, Aryan Dutt and Tim Pringle each picked up one wicket, but their total was always going to be below par on a flat Sylhet deck.

What’s next?

With the series now 1-0, Bangladesh will look to press their advantage in the second T20I, also at Sylhet. The Netherlands, meanwhile, must regroup quickly, their batting frailties exposed and their bowling lacking penetration.

For now, though, it’s all smiles in the Bangladesh camp. A dominant start, a statement win, and a fully charged Liton Das, the Tigers are already flexing their claws.