12 Mar 2011

Bangladesh stun England with World Cup fightback

12:02 pm on 12 March 2011

The Bangladesh tail-enders Shafiul Islam and Mahmudullah became the toast of the nation after steering their team to a stunning two-wicket cricket World Cup win over England in Chittagong on Saturday morning.

The tournament co-hosts looked to be heading out of the competition with England progressing to the last eight when they slumped to 169-8 chasing 226 to win on an unpredictable wicket with the ball reverse swinging.

But Shafiul decided attack was the best way ahead and he blasted 24 in as many balls to carry his team over the line for the unlikeliest of wins as the home crowd went wild.

Earlier, Jonathan Trott top-scored for England with 67 backed up by Eoin Morgan (63) to help their side recover from a poor start to reach 225 all out in the Group B clash.

The result was an amazing turnaround for the home side who were skittled for just 58 against West Indies a week ago in Dhaka before losing by nine wickets.

The England skipper Andrew Strauss looked stunned - and bemused - after losing their second Group B thriller against supposedly weaker opposition.

England now need to win their final match against the West Indies on March the 17th to be sure of a quarter-final place while Bangladesh need wins in their next two games against the Netherlands on Monday and South Africa on March the 19th to guarantee their place in the knockout rounds.