Bangladesh whitewashed world champions England in the three-match Twenty20 series by winning the dead rubber by 16 runs on March 14. Opener Litton Das hit a career-best 73 and Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 47 not out as Bangladesh put up 158-2 on a Mirpur pitch that was on the slower side. Dawid Malan and skipper Jos Buttler had England on course in their bid to avoid being clean swept until their dismissals off consecutive deliveries triggered a collapse. England went from 100/1 to 142-6 to lose the inconsequential affair.
Bangladesh earned its first T20 sweep of a top ranked team, while England suffered a whitewash for only the third time after Australia achieved the feat in 2014 and South Africa in 2016. “We talked about showing character ahead of the series and that’s what we showed,” Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan said. “We were put into a tough position but won the game. That’s the thing that will give us the confidence as we are building a team for the 2024 T20 World Cup.”
Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam, on debut, struck with his third ball, removing opener Phil Salt for a duck. Malan hit a 47-ball 53 with six fours and two sixes and put on a 95-run stand with his skipper, who appeared to be in fine fettle with 40 off 31, including four fours and a six. Malan edged behind to give pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman his 100th T20 wicket, and Mehidy Hasan ran out Buttler with a direct hit from point.
England collapsed thereafter, trying to maintain the asking run rate. “Our fielding was top notch. Those two wickets in two balls changed the game completely,” Shakib said.
"Shabby at best" 😬
Jofra Archer left in disbelief by these two dropped catches ❌ pic.twitter.com/GULTrLUm5r
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 14, 2023
