The first-ever bilateral series for the Netherlands in Bangladesh and the busy 2025 cricketing calendar mean we are in for another enthralling series. The 3-match T20I series between Bangladesh (BAN) and the Netherlands (NED) starts on Saturday, August 30th, 2025, at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

It is a series Bangladesh will look to treat with utmost seriousness, aided by their recent T20 World Cup success, given the significance of the T20 format in terms of preparation for the Asia Cup and ultimately the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Netherlands will be looking to test themselves against a team with the quality of Bangladesh and under subcontinental conditions, which will be invaluable to their development.

Bangladesh: 79% Win Probability, Netherlands: "Underdog" angles and fighting spirit have served them well in the past, and they will not die wondering! Both teams will be looking to solidify their combinations, which should make the contest even more exciting for spectators.

Bangladesh comes into this series with strong recent form, including T20I series wins over Pakistan (2-1) and Sri Lanka (2-1). The Netherlands qualified for the 2026 T20 World Cup, winning the Europe Region Final earlier this year. 

The last time these teams met in a bilateral series was in the Hague in 2021, with the series finishing at 1-1. Since then, Bangladesh has defeated the Netherlands three times in T20 World Cups.

Historically, the surface of the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium has been a batting-friendly one in T20 cricket. The ball comes out of the bat nicely, giving vitality to stroke-makers; however, there is often grip for the spinners in the middle overs, so variety is key.

From this, we can assume that the captain winning the toss will bowl first.

The weather in Sylhet at the end of August is usually cloudy and humid. There is a possibility of showers, but no major rain delays are anticipated. The dew factor towards the end of the second innings should allow for easier chasing.

After a rocky start to the year with defeats to the UAE and Pakistan, Bangladesh’s form in white-ball cricket has drastically improved since then in the early part of 2025. They were looking dangerous ahead of this ODI series, as they had secured highly convincing wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The Tigers are in good form and have integrated their talented youth players and seniors, which has given them a balanced approach going into this clash against Nepal. Moreover, the series will be played in their home conditions, where they will naturally be expected to dominate.

• The Netherlands has been improving in white-ball cricket at a steady pace.

• Their qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup with dominant displays in the Europe Region Final showed their growing stature.

• The Netherlands may not have a home advantage like Bangladesh, but they have regularly shocked stronger sides with their fearlessness. 

Bangladesh has been dominant in their recent encounters, winning at the 2021, 2022, and 2024 T20 World Cups.

O’Dowd has a whopping 225 runs in his last 5 T20Is (75 avg) and presents the biggest batting threat to Bangladesh in this opening encounter. His ability to anchor the innings and then accelerate later in the innings makes him a huge asset.

The “Fizz” is and has been Bangladesh’s best bowler for a number of years now. His slower cutters and Yorkers have the ability to unsettle batting lineups, especially in Asian conditions. His 4 overs could be match-deciding.

Bangladesh should be in a good position to take a 1-0 series lead; however, if Max O’Dowd fires, then the Dutch could make it hard for them.

The Bangladesh vs. Netherlands 1st T20I in Sylhet is going to provide the action and excitement of a home favorite team matchup against a determined opponent not afraid to go for the win.

It seems that all the arrows point down to Bangladesh winning the game and therefore providing strong favorites to take the lead 1-0 going into game two of this three-game series. Nevertheless, it is advisable to keep in mind that the Netherlands should never be ruled out, as previous performances in ICC matches have proven.