06 March 2023 , 13:31
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Shakib Al Hasan produced a brilliant all-round display as Bangladesh avoided a series whitewash by beating England by 50 runs in the final ODI.
Shakib struck 75 off 71 balls and picked up 4-35, while both Najmul Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim also struck half-centuries and Ebadot Hossain and Taijul Islam took two wickets apiece. Having lost the first two ODIs by three wickets and 132 runs respectively as they succumbed to a first ODI series defeat at home since 2016, Bangladesh bounced back brilliantly in Chattogram to record a thumping victory.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Bangladesh posted their highest total of the series as they were bowled out for 246, with Shanto, Mushfiqur and Shakib all scoring impressive half-centuries. Sam Curran was excellent with the new ball for England once again, dismissing openers Litton Das and Tamim Iqbal cheaply, while Jofra Archer picked up three wickets at the death to end with impressive figures of 3-35 from his 8.5 over spell.
Adil Rashid was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2-21 and picking up the big wickets of Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah as Bangladesh struggled to deal with his variations. However, he only bowled five overs with captain Jos Buttler keen to give Rehan Ahmed plenty of opportunities as he became England's youngest men's ODI cricketer.
The 18-year-old bowled his full quota and picked up a sole wicket off the final ball of his spell, taking a sharp return catch to dismiss Mehidy Hasan. It was a solid if unspectacular debut for Ahmed, who could have a role to play at this year's upcoming 50-over World Cup with the tournament taking place in more spin-friendly conditions in India.
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"I think he had a steady day," was the verdict of former England bowler Steven Finn. "Obviously there would have been nerves. We saw him setting his own fields, constantly communicating - for a guy on debut, that's a really good sign. And then he topped his day off, after having got through 9.5 overs, with a caught and bowled for his first ODI wicket."
Rehan Ahmed celebrates his first ODI wicket after becoming the youngest man to represent England in the format (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)In response, Phil Salt ensured England got off to a good start with a quick-fire 35 off 25 balls, his best contribution of the series, but once he was dismissed by Shakib the hosts began to pick up regular wickets. Dawid Malan fell to Ebadot for a duck, while Jason Roy was bowled by Shakib just two balls later for a 33-ball 19. With England in trouble at 55-3, James Vince and Curran stemmed the flow of wickets as they shared a 49-run partnership.
However, Curran in particular struggled to find any real fluency and holed out off Mehidy after scoring 23 off 49 balls. Vince then fell to an absolute beauty from Shakib, with his 38 England's highest individual score as players continued to get starts but failed to make them count the way Malan and Roy had done with their centuries earlier in the series.
And when Buttler was out lbw to Taijul Islam for 26 with his side still needing 89 runs to win, England's hopes disappeared with him. Mustafizur Rahman then finished things off in style as he took an excellent return catch to dismiss Chris Woakes for 34 and secure a brilliant victory for Bangladesh.