The Tigers tasted their first victory against England by defeating the visitors by 6 wickets in the first match of the first bilateral series against the world champions. And with this victory, Bangladesh advanced 1-0 in the series. The English started with 156 runs. In reply, the hosts won with 12 balls and 6 wickets in hand.
Two Tiger openers Rony Talukder and Liton Das started to chase runs. The opening pair stopped at 33 runs in 3.3 overs. Rony scored 21 runs off just 14 balls. 12 runs from 10 balls came from Lytton’s bat.
Nazmule Hossain Shanto stormed the crease with the bat along with debutant Touhid Hriday in the third wicket pair. The two made a partnership of 65 runs in just 39 balls. That’s why the team got the basis of victory. After completing a quick fifty, Shanto returned to 51 runs in 30 balls. 24 runs came from Hriday’s bat off 17 balls.
Then Tiger team leader Shakib Al Hasan confirmed the victory with Afif Hossain. Shakib remained unbeaten on 34 runs off 24 balls and Afif on 15 runs off 13 balls.
Before this, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan invited England to bat after winning the toss at the beginning of the match. Two openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt gave the team a great start after losing the toss. The opening pair scored 80 runs in 10 overs. Salt got out with 38 runs in 35 balls.
Left-handed batsman David Malan could not take advantage of the next wicket. Malan was dismissed for 4 runs off 7 balls by Shakib Al Hasan. But opener Buttler got a worthy partner in the third wicket. Ben Duckett continued to bat brilliantly. The two have an average of 47 runs. Duckett got out after scoring 20 runs off 13 balls. Meanwhile, after making fifty, Butler returned to 67 runs off 42 balls.
After that, no one could take advantage with the bat. Sam Curren scored 6 runs and Chris Woakes scored 1 run. And Moeen Ali remained unbeaten on 8 runs and Chris Jordan on 5 runs.
Hasan Mahmood took maximum two wickets for Bangladesh. Besides, four bowlers have seen one wicket each.
(09 March/MM)