Ryan Cook Returns to City of Memories, Dutch Coach Emotional on Sylhet Comeback

The Netherlands national cricket team has returned to Bangladesh after 11 years, their last visit dating back to the 2014 T20 World Cup. On Saturday, they will once again take the field in Sylhet, facing Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series. For Dutch head coach Ryan Cook, the venue brings back a flood of emotions—familiar grounds and cherished memories from his time with Bangladesh cricket.

Cook, who previously served as Bangladesh’s fielding coach, spent significant time in cities like Chattogram and Sylhet during his tenure. Now back as an opposition coach, stepping into the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium instantly reignited a wave of nostalgia.

“It feels really great to be back in Bangladesh,” Cook said at a press conference. “I have so many wonderful memories here. Meeting familiar faces after such a long time is also a fantastic experience. Honestly, I’m really enjoying being back.”

Although the series was arranged on short notice, Cook assured his team was well-prepared: “Preparations were done quickly, but we trained properly at home as well. I’m very much looking forward to this series.”

Throwback to 2014—An Historic Dutch Triumph

Sylhet holds a special place in Dutch cricket history. During the 2014 World Cup, the Netherlands stunned Ireland by chasing down 189 in just 13.5 overs to qualify for the Super 10s. Their blistering 91 runs in the first six overs set a then-world record for powerplay scoring, which stood for six years.

None of the current squad members were part of that historic night, but Cook believes the memory still carries inspiration. “That was a long time ago, but it reminds us how to play against big teams. We’ve been preparing for years, continuously improving, and heading into another World Cup. That progress gives us belief,” he said.

Ambition for Another Memorable Victory

The Dutch coach emphasized his team’s growth, pointing to their consistency on the global stage: “Some of our players need to lead from the front. They’ve been developing themselves over the past few years. It’s not easy to qualify for four consecutive World Cups, but it shows we are moving in the right direction among associate nations.”

Hopes Rest on Familiar Turf

All three matches of the series will be played in Sylhet—a venue tied to both Cook’s personal journey and the Netherlands’ historic success. This time, under captain Scott Edwards and backed by talents like Max O’Dowd, the Dutch will aim to break their winless run against Bangladesh in T20Is.

And perhaps, just like 2014, the story of another Dutch upset could begin once more in Sylhet.