Bangladesh VS England T20 Series
3rd Match Played at SBNCS Dhaka on 14 March 2023
Bangladesh 158/2 (Litton K Das 74, Nazmul Hossein Shanto 47*, Rony Talukdar 24)
England 142/6 (Dawid Malan 53, Jos Buttler 40, Taskin Ahmed 2/26)
Bangladesh won the Match by 16 Runs
Bangladesh won The Series 3-0
Player of the Match: Litton K Das
Player of The Series: Nazmul Hossein Shanto
World Champions of the both white ball format high flying England was made to crash land at tigers’ den. Spirited Bangladesh winning all three T20 matches in the trot comprehensively whitewashed England. Bangladeshis affectionately termed it Banglawash. The series was won on 12 March after Bangladesh back-to-back win in the second match at SBNCS.
It was left to be seen whether Bangladesh achieves whitewash. Bemused England failing to survive bowling surge of Bangladesh succumbed. A new bunch of enterprising and enthusiastic cricketers made Bangladesh proud again. England could reach as far as 142/6 chasing Bangladesh innings of 158/2. Bangladesh won by 16 runs. A clean sweep by Bangladesh (3-0). Mission achieved.
Shakib was lucky again with the coin calling it right. On a docile looking dry wicket, he chose to bat. His batsmen Litton and Rony started in brave brisk fashion. English bowling was encountered with a plan. True rattled Englishmen dropped two catches, yet Bangladesh openers were true to their task. Litton played some delightful strokes. Rony was more enterprising at the start. 55 runs were accumulated in the first wicket. After Rony departed scoring 24, the new Mr Consistent Nazmul Shanto with back to scintillating form Litton batting with comfort and ease added 84 match defining partnership in the 2nd wicket. Litton scored impressive 73 in 57 balls. Nazmul remained unbeaten on 47 .His superlative form continued. At one stage there was thought that Bangladesh may accumulate 180 plus. But England bowling with penetration and accuracy restricted Bangladesh to 158/2.
England were in a mission face saving. After Taskin managing to remove Salt early, two champion English batsmen Dewid Malan (53) and Jos Buttler (40) were sailing smoothly till a magical over of back to his brilliant best again Mustafiz over turned the tide. First a brilliant catch by Litton off the bowling of Fizz got rid of Malan. In the very next ball, a spectacular throw of Miraj from a difficult angle had Buttler ran out. From 100/1 it suddenly became 100/3 as two well set batsmen were gone at a critical stage. Bangladeshi bowlers Mustafiz, Taskin started bowling with venom. Fielders had spring in their legs. England could go as far as 142/6. Hasan Mahmud bowled a miserly last over. Mustafiz gave away only 14 runs in his 4 overs grabbing the all-important wicket of Malan. Bangladesh won by 16 runs, won the series and earned a comprehensive series whitewash.
It is 18 years since T 20 format was created and 17 years since Bangladesh started playing. England won world cup twice, Bangladesh were never considered a force to reckon with in the format. Whatever depleted team England might have come with, this great series win has loudly announced Bangladesh presence in T20. Now sky appears the limit of the new look Bangladesh beaming with the indomitable will to win. Brilliant Shakib marshalled his resources admirably well.
BDST: 1130 HRS, MAR 15, 2023
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