Sylhet’s unpredictable weather had the final say as the third Twenty20 between Bangladesh and the Netherlands was abandoned due to rain, leaving the hosts with a 2-0 series win ahead of the Asia Cup.
After winning the toss, the Netherlands chose to bowl and gave Bangladesh the chance to set a target. Liton Das seized the opportunity, producing a sparkling 73 from 46 balls with six fours and four sixes. He looked fluent from the outset and shared a brisk 39-run opening stand with Saif Hassan. Saif, handed a rare chance at the top of the order, made 12 from eight deliveries before losing his stumps to Kyle Klein in the fourth over.
Liton pressed on, reaching his half-century from just 27 balls with a towering slog-sweep for six. The innings carried extra significance as it saw him overtake Shakib Al Hasan’s tally of T20 international fifties for Bangladesh. His stroke play thrilled the Sylhet crowd until rain interrupted proceedings for over half an hour. When play resumed, Liton kept up the momentum and found support in short cameos from Nurul Hasan Sohan, Zakir Ali Anik and Shamim Hossain Patwary. The Tigers posted 164 for four in 18.2 overs before the skies opened again.
The downpour proved decisive. While the first stoppage had been manageable, the second was relentless, forcing officials to abandon the match. For Bangladesh, the frustration was evident. In the first two matches of the series, they bowled first and won convincingly without requiring much from their middle and lower order. Critics had called for the team to test themselves by batting first, and the third match finally provided that scenario. Yet the weather robbed them of the chance to see the contest through.
Still, Liton’s form provided encouragement. The stand-in captain not only dominated the series with the bat but also guided his side to a third straight T20 series victory, adding momentum ahead of the Asia Cup. Bangladesh may have secured the trophy, but the sense remains that their preparation could have been more complete had the weather allowed.
