Reigning World Champions was hardly extended as they cruised over ordinary Bangladesh winning by 4 wickets in 37 Overs rain curtailed match at Guwahati yesterday.
Bating first Bangladesh failing to cope up with very strong English bowling could produce 188/9 in 37 overs. England eased passed the target scoring 197/6 with 77 balls to spare. The difference of present quality and class of the two teams were clearly under lined. Most of the English bowlers had some work out as Buttler used as many as 9 bowlers in short spells for getting used to hot and humid conditions. Bangladesh rested not 100% match fit captain Shakib Al Hasan for the match. Nazmul Hasan Shanto led the side in his absence. It was informed that Shakib will be available for the first match against Afghanistan.
Batting first Bangladesh found yet extremely challenging encountering fast and penetrative English bowling attack. Reece Topley, Mark Wood, David Willey, Sam Curran moved ball and pace. Adil Rashid got bounce and turn. Young Tanzid Tamim looked brave. Some of his stroke in his flamboyant 45 of 44 deliveries stamped class looking shadows of Tamim Iqbal in his youth. His promising but brief innings had 7 good looking fours struck with confidence across the fence. He started with a massive six against Topley in the very first over. Other than him only impressive Mehedi Hasan Miraj produced brilliant 74.
Bangladesh allrounder proved yet again that he deserves batting at higher order if not as stop gap opener. Litton and Nazmul Shanto had to answer to high quality seam and Swing of Topley. Mushfique fell to an Adil Rashid Googlie keeping low. Mahmudullah (18) looking good failed to put an Adil Rashid full toss across the rope. Otherwise, Bangladesh batting had nothing to mention as it was business as usual. As mentioned earlier English bowlers bowled in short spells. Topley was the peak of them taking 3/23. Adil Rashid took 2/27 which included prized scalps of Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah. David Willey took 2/26. Mark Wood bowling only 3 overs got the important wicket of Tanzid Tamim. Rain restricted the match to 37 overs. Bangladesh could post 188/9.
Bangladesh bowlers bowled within themselves not letting English batsmen enough freedom. They managed taking 6 English wickets as England was in their Bazball strategy. Moeen Ali coming to bat at 7 scored 56 in 39 deliveries striking 2 fours and 6 sixes. Other than him Jonny Bairstow (34), Jos Buttler (30). Joe Root (26*) had useful practice. Bangladeshi Pacer Mustafizur took 2/23. Taskin 1/23, Shoriful 1/23 bowled well within themselves. But target was too soft for the very strong English team who looked like well-oiled machine for the championed. Bangladesh had its reality check against quality opposition.
Finally it ended up as a cake walk for the reigning champions before they kick start against New Zealand in the first match of the tournament at the Iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on 5 October 2023.
BDST: 0710 HRS, OCT 03, 2023
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