Dhaka: Netherlands announced a 15-member squad for the three-match T20 International series against Bangladesh, starting August 30. This will be Netherlands’ first bilateral series in Bangladesh. Scott Edwards will lead the side that included seasoned opener Max O’Dowd, pacer Paul van Meekeren, the Klein brothers Ryan and Kyle, off-spinner Aryan Dutt, and leg-spinner Shariz Ahmed.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Netherlands won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier at home last month by beating Italy in the final. O’Dowd was instrumental in their victory and was the tournament’s top run-scorer with 204 runs in four matches, while Edwards made the second-best 146 runs. Kyle Klein took seven wickets, finishing just behind Italy’s Harry Manenti, who took eight, for most wickets.
Netherlands will arrive in Dhaka on August 26 and move to Sylhet on the same day, where they will train for three days before the series-opening game. The last two matches are scheduled to be held on September 1 and 2, with all matches taking place at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Bangladesh has played five T20Is against Netherlands and won four of them. Their only previous bilateral meeting was in 2012 when Bangladesh toured the Netherlands for two T20Is, resulting in a 1-1 series draw. The Dutch last played in Bangladesh during the 2024 T20 World Cup, with the Tigers winning the game by 25 runs.
Several regulars are missing from the squad that played in the final against Italy, with opener Michael Levitt, all-rounder Bas de Leede, and veteran Roelof van der Merwe among key absences.
Netherlands squad: Max O’Dowd, Vikramjit Singh, Anil Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards, Noah Croes, Saqib Zulfiqar, Ryan Klein, Kyle Klein, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren, Shariz Ahmed, Ben Fletcher, Daniel Doram, Tim Pringle, and Fred Klaassen.