Shakib stars as Bangladesh avoid ODI series sweep

Shakib Al Hasan produced a stunning allround performance as Bangladesh secured a 50-run victory over England in the third and final match to avoid an ODI series sweep at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Monday, reports BSS. 

The star allrounder followed his 71 ball-75 with a 4-35, which made him the first Bangladeshi bowlers to take 300 wickets in addition of saving Bangladesh from being red-faced after they looked on the course of suffering their first series sweep on home soil since 2012.

Mushfiqur Rahim complemented Shakib's effort with 70 and Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 53, steering Bangladesh to 246 before being all out in 48.5 overs.

England's much-vaunted batting lineup crumbled under sustained pressure of spinners, led by Shakib to be all out for 196 in 43.1 overs. 

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (2-52) and fast bowler Ebadot Hossain (2-38), the only change of Bangladesh for this match, claimed two wickets each to play around Shakib.

England won the first match by three wickets and the second one by 132 runs as they took the three-match series 2-1 finally.

Following the template of the first two matches, Bangladesh's openers failed to get a good start after opting to bat first with Liton Das bagging his second straight duck.

Sam Curran who followed his four-wicket haul with 2-51 this match swung the ball nicely to get the better of Liton and then removed skipper Tamim Iqbal for 11 as Bangladesh were left to 17-2 in the third over.

Mushfiqur Rahim, who has been on the receiving end following his poor form finally propped up his game when it mattered most. He found support in informing Shanto as the duo combined for a 98-run partnership for the third wicket to steady the innings.

Shanto, however, was trapped run out after hitting five fours in his 71-ball-knock but Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim's assured presence on the wicket gave Bangladesh hope to take the score close to 300-run.

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid who ended with 2-21 interrupted, rattling the stump of Mushfiqur who sent the ball across the ropes six times.

Rashid then got rid of out-of-form Mahmudullah Riyad for 8 for a further setback of Bangladesh.

With Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz still waiting in the fray and Shakib playing with utmost confidence, Bangladesh still had the chance to pile up a big score.

Chris Woakes (1-27) had Afif caught by Moeen Ali for 15 and leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed removed Mehidy (5) for his debut wicket to end Bangladesh's chance to go anywhere closer to 300 runs mark.

Archer who grabbed 3-35 to be the top wicket-taker for England, cleaned up the tail as Shakib battled alone to take the score closer to 250. Shakib hit seven boundaries in his 52nd half-century plus knock.

England made a solid start with Phil Salt particularly looking dangerous but Shakib brought the side back into contention, getting the better of the opener after he struck 35 off 25.

In the next over, fast bowler Ebadot Hossain removed Dawid Malan for a duck and Shakib then put Bangladesh on top, dismissing Jason Roy for 19 as England lost three wickets for just one run in 10 balls.

James Vince and Sam Curran slowly tried to rebuild the innings but the effort went in vain as the latter spooned a catch to long-off after making 23 off 49 deliveries. 

Shakib delivered the big blow, taking the well-set Vince with a delivery that spun sharply, leaving the batter astounded. Vince made team high 38.

Taijul and Mehidy then rocked England further before Shakib came back to dismiss Rehan Ahmed for his 300th wicket.

Taijul took the big scalp of skipper Buttler 26 while Mustafizur Rahman finally got his elusive successive, dismissing Chris Woakes for 34 as England's innings came to end.