Bangladesh gets a consolation victory as they beat England by 50 runs in the last ODI held at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram. It was good day at office for Bangladeshi bowlers who did a gripping job with the ball, defending 247 runs against line attacking English batting line-up.
England came in this match with series already won by them, they defeated Bangladesh in the first and second ODI played in Mirpur. This series have also exposed their vulnerability to spin bowling attack, for in today’s match, they lost 7 wickets to spin bowlers of Bangladesh.
Batting first, Bangladesh had a upsetting start with both of their openers departed to pavillion before the fourth over. The right handed Litton Das scored second duck in a row while captain Tamim Iqbal could only score 9 runs before getting caught at short cover.
Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim brewed a steady 98 runs partnership but it was ended through excellent field work by Rehan Ahmed who ran out Shanto. Rahim played a anchoring knock of 70 runs but it was Shakib who really provided some essential runs at good strike rate.
The finest all rounder scored 75 off 71 balls then later on went to pick 4 crucial wickets. It was 9th time in his career than he scored 50 runs and picked 3 wickets, most in history of cricket by any all-arounder.
Jofra Archer bowled well, he has been in fine touch since his comeback. He picked 3 wickets and conceded only 35 runs in 8.5 overs while Adil Rashid and Sam Curran shared 2 wickets each.
246 was a par total on this track, a bit two packed with spongy bounce but England preferred their odds to chase it down. They put up 54 runs partnership for the first wicket, with both Jason Roy and Philip Salt looking good. Salt was going good with 25 balls 35 but he soon played one shot right in point’s hand while trying to cut one through off side. It was an average delivery from Shakib but Bangladesh got the breakthrough they badly needed.
In space of next 12 balls, they lost two more wickets, Malan couldn’t score any run and Ebadot Hossain bowled brilliantly to beat him in pace. Jason Roy lost his wicket for the third time to Shakib who bowled a flashy arm ball that Roy tried to cut through but missed the length and it rattled his stumps.
James Vince and Same Curran played a rebuilding knock but the old was getting tough to hit and around the middle overs, England lost three wickets in space of 26 runs. Jos Buttler played 24 balls 26 runs knock before Taijul Islam caught him LBW while he attempted reverse sweep.
Chris Woakes kept one end busy but the odds kept pushing England away from the game. Ebadot Hossain bagged 2 wickets and looked solid in his attack despite playing only five ODI matches. Taijul Islam earlier got for few runs but eventually made comeback with two wickets of Buttler and Rashid.
England won the series 2-1 but it was a decent comeback by Bangladesh in the third ODI, especially with the ball. Now both teams lock in for three match ODI series starting from March 9.