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Shafiul leads Tigers to sensational win

Shafiul Islam dramatically dismissed Jonathan Trott for 94 with three balls remaining as Bangladesh levelled the NatWest Series with their first win over England in a pulsating encounter at Bristol.

Going into the last over with 10 runs to win, Trott hit two twos off the first two balls before edging a Shafiul slower delivery to wicketkeeper Jahurul Islam, giving the fast bowler figures of 2-38.

Chasing just 237 to win, the hosts had slipped from 86 for two to 115 for five as left-arm spinners Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan took control in the middle overs.

And when Shakib bowled Ajmal Shahzad, England were reeling on 166 for seven and looking desperate.

Stuart Broad briefly threatened to lead the hosts to victory, cracking a six and a four in a 25-ball 21.

Jahurul Islam, Jonathan Trott, Shafiul Islam

Shafiul Islam celebrates after removing Jonathan Trott for 94 in the final over to seal Bangladesh's first win in 24 games

But when he hit Mashrafe Mortaza to Shakib at point, England’s position was again on a knife-edge.

Trott remained calm and hit two fours off Mortaza in the penultimate over, but James Anderson was caught and bowled from its final delivery.

Bangladesh thought they had won the game at that stage but Ian Bell, who had fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot while attempting to take a spectacular catch in the field, bravely hobbled out to the middle wearing a protective cast, with Eoin Morgan as a runner.

However, he did not face a delivery and could only watch on as Trott departed for a brave 130-ball innings, featuring eight fours, giving Bangladesh their first international win in 248 days.

In reply to Bangladesh’s 236 for seven, England started cautiously, scoring just six runs off the first three overs.

However, they upped the tempo by taking 12 off Razzak’s second over as Andrew Strauss danced down the pitch and crashed a wonderful six down the ground.

What followed was a procession of boundaries as Strauss, especially, tucked into some wayward Bangladesh bowling.

Strauss came perilously close to being run out for the second successive game, but Craig Kieswetter smacked Mortaza over mid-off for six off the following delivery.

However, the hosts’ progress was halted when Strauss feathered an attempted uppercut off Rubel Hossain through to Jahurul, departing for a 36-ball 33.

Jonathan Trott

Trott drives during a wonderful innings, which nearly completed a fine run-chase

Trott was soon into his stride, crunching a beautifully timed cover drive for four off Shakib.

Kieswetter thrashed Rubel Hossain through point for yet another boundary, but nicked behind next ball on 20.

It should have been two in two as Paul Collingwood also edged behind, only to be handed a reprieve by umpire Richard Illingworth.

Bangladesh reintroduced Razzak and he had an immediate impact, trapping Collingwood leg before, although replays suggested there was an inside edge.

Things went from bad to worse for the hosts in the left-arm spinner’s next over when he picked up Morgan lbw.

Michael Yardy tried to rebuild with Trott but, when he was bowled by Shakib attempting to pull a full delivery, England were deep in trouble.

Luke Wright offered Trott some much-needed support in steadying the ship before perishing to Shafiul at slip.

Shahzad soon followed as he was bowled by Shakib attempting to pull a ball that simply was not short enough.

Broad came to the crease with England needing 41 to win and he made an immediate impact, smiting Rubel over midwicket for six.

However, with England still requiring 28 he departed. Anderson did his best to add to the score, but it was clear only Trott had a shot at winning the game for the home side. His efforts were not enough, though.

Earlier, Shahzad took three wickets as England restricted Bangladesh to what seemed a below-par total, despite Imrul Kayes’ battling 76.

The fast bowler, drafted in to replace Tim Bresnan, took the prized wicket of Tamim Iqbal early on before returning to remove Jahurul and Kayes, finishing with figures of 3-41.

Imrul Kayes

Imrul Kayes opens his shoulders during a battling 76, which led Bangladesh to an eventual winning total of 236 for seven

Shahzad found just enough movement to take Tamim’s edge, allowing wicketkeeper Kieswetter to do the rest.

Kayes and Junaid Siddique rebuilt thereafter with the latter taking three fours off Shahzad in the 10th over.

Siddique soon departed, though, gloving a leg-side strangler to Kieswetter to end his enterprising 23-ball innings of 21, including four fours.

Jahurul started well, hooking Broad over square-leg for six.

But Strauss brought Shahzad back and Jahurul nicked his fourth delivery to Kieswetter, who took his third catch of the game, on 40.

The tourists’ cause was damaged further when Shakib soon perished, bowled attempting a scoop-sweep over fine-leg off Collingwood.

Bangladesh continued to fight as Kayes and Mohammad Ashraful built upon an impressive start, despite riding their luck at times.

Ashraful, however, was run out by Shahzad attempting a suicidal second run.

That wicket slowed Bangladesh’s progress dramatically as they took just 21 off the following five overs.

The pressure told as Kayes was taken by Collingwood at backward point off a leading edge to give Shahzad his third scalp.

Bangladesh opted to delay the batting powerplay until the last five overs and England continued to be relatively economical, while removing Mortaza for 22 via another run-out.