Riding on half-century from Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh piled up 246 before being all out in third and final ODI against England at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium today.
Shakib top-scored the side with 71 ball-75 while Mushfiqur Rahim made 70 off 93 as Bangladesh are trying to avoid a series sweep for the first time on home soil since 2012 following their three-wicket and 132-run defeat to visiting England. Shanto added 53, his second fifty plus knock in the series.
Following the template of the first two matches, Bangladesh’s openers failed to get a good start after opting to bat first with Liton Das bagging his second straight duck.
Sam Curran who followed his four-wicket haul with 2-51 this match swung the ball nicely to get the better of Liton and then removed skipper Tamim Iqbal for 11 as Bangladesh were left to 17-2 in third over.
Mushfiqur Rahim, who has been on the receiving end following his poor form finally propped up his game when it mattered most. He found support in inform Shanto as the duo combined for a 98-run partnership for the third wicket to steady the innings.
Shanto however was trapped run out after hitting five fours in his 71-ball-knock but Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim’s assured presence in the wicket gave Bangladesh a hope to take the score close to 300-run.
Leg-spinner Adil Rashid who ended with 2-21 interrupted , rattling the stump of Mushfiqur who sent the ball across the ropes for six times.
Rashid then got rid of out of form Mahmudullah Riyad for 8 for a further setback of Bangladesh.
With Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz still waiting in the fray and Shakib playing with utmost confidence, Bangladesh still had the chance to pile up a big score.
Chris Woakes (1-27) had Afif caught by Moeen Ali for 15 and leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed removed Mehidy (5) for his debut wicket to end Bangladesh’s chance to go anywhere closer to 300 runs mark.
Archer who grabbed 3-35 to be the top wicket-taker for England, cleaned up the tail as Shakib battled lone to take the score closer to 250. Shakib hit seven boundaries in his 52nd half-century plus knock.
