Bangladesh produced a dominating all-round performance to defeat world champions England by six wickets in the first of three Twenty20 internationals at Zahir Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong Thursday.
The Tigers made a promising start as the opening pair put on 33 off just 3.2 overs before the fall of the first wicket in pursuit of 157 as Liton Das scored 12 while Rony Talukder made 21.
No 3 batter Nazmul Hossain Shanto then played a brilliant innings after both the openers got out as Shanto struck 51 off just 30 deliveries with eight boundaries.
Debutant Towhid Hridoy made a useful contribution as he scored 24.
Captain Shakib al Hasan was unbeaten on 34 while Afif Hossain was 15 not out when Bangladesh chased down the target with two overs to spare.
Earlier, England posted 156 runs losing six wickets in their stipulated 20 overs after being asked to bat first.
Skipper Jos Buttler was the top scorer with 67.
England were cruising at one stage but the Tigers bowlers bowed brilliantly in the death overs as they conceded just 30 runs in the last five overs.
Earlier in the day, after losing the toss England openers Philip Salt and Jos Butler gave a strong start as the duo formed an 80-run stand before the former was dismissed for 38 in the bowling of left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed.
Pacer Hasan Mahmud celebrating with teammates after the dismissal of England's captain Jos Buttler during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between Bangladesh and England at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on March 9, 2023
Pacer Hasan Mahmud celebrating with teammates after the dismissal of England's captain Jos Buttler during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between Bangladesh and England at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on March 9, 2023AFP
One-down Dawid Malan got out only for four but captain Butler kept the onslaught with Duckett before the latter was dismissed for 20 off 13.
The turning point of the innings in the very next ball, the first of the 17th over when Butler was out for 67 off 42 caught by Najmul off the bowling of Hasan Mahmud.
The 23-year-old Mahmud not only picked the vital wicket but bowled brilliantly in the death overs. He conceded just one run in that over and just four in the 19th over while his two senior pace bowling mates Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed gave away seven and nine in 18th and 20th over respectively to restrict England to 156-6.
Shakib conceded just 26 from four overs to check the English batters but it was not only the bowlers, the very alert and athletic out fielding also saved at least 10-12 runs for the Tigers. Bangladesh have won many international matches but this one will be remembered as one where all three departments tuned in harmony with juvenile spirit.
