Bangladesh's emphatic six-wicket victory over the Netherlands justified packing the side with left-handers, captain Shakib Al Hasan said on Monday. "It worked today against the Dutch, but that does not mean it will work all the time," Shakib said after the co-hosts won to remain in contention for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Bangladesh played a third left-arm spinner in Suhrawadi Shuvo to partner Abdur Razzak and Shakib himself, dropping consistent off-break bowler Naeem Islam. The home team also included Shahriar Nafees to bat at number four in place of right-hander Raqibul Hasan, which meant the top five batsmen were all left-handers.
"Naeem bowled well in the previous games but we decided to bring in Shuvo because the Dutch side had a lot of right-handers and they would find it difficult to play left-arm spin," the captain said.
"Playing Nafees was not part of any left-hand plan. We gave him a chance because Raqibul was not getting runs. It is just a coincidence that our top order was left-handed. But since that is what is being talked about, let me tell you that there were two more lefties lower down the order in Razzak and Shuvo."
The Dutch were shot out for 160 in 46.2 overs after electing to take first strike on the slow wicket, a target Bangladesh surpassed in the 42nd over with left-handed Imrul Kayes making 73 not out.
Bangladesh's three left-arm spinners shared five of the six wickets to fall to bowlers, with Razzak leading the way with 3-29 in 10 steady overs. Shakib and Shuvo claimed one wicket apiece.
Bangladesh join the West Indies and South Africa on six points, one behind Group B leaders India and a point ahead of England, with four teams qualifying for the knockout round.
A West Indies win over England in Chennai on Thursday would mean Bangladesh were through to the last eight even before their final league match against South Africa in Dhaka on Saturday. But an unlikely Irish win over the Proteas in Kolkata on Tuesday would throw the race wide open.
Shakib admitted the team would keep one eye on the West Indies-England game even as the players prepared for the match against South Africa. "Of course we will watch that match, but as far as we are concerned, it will change nothing.
"Our future should remain in our hands. The bottom line is that we have to beat South Africa. Having won our last two matches has made the team very confident of doing well against such a good side. There is a lot of belief in the squad. If we do the basics right, anything can happen."
Bangladesh, buoyed by their stunning two-wicket win over England on Friday, did not bowl a single wide or no-ball against the Dutch in a disciplined display on the field.
Ryan ten Doeschate top-scored for the Netherlands with an unbeaten 53, but none of the other batsmen managed 30, six failed to reach double figures and four ran themselves out. "We did well in the field today and I hope we will continue in the same way," said Shakib. "It was not an easy wicket to bat on but Imrul led the way very well."
