Tigers show authority in win over England

Bangladesh put in a massive effort with the ball to come back into the game after being put under the cosh before batters showed an approach that signaled the coming of a new Bangladesh in the T20I format, leading the Tigers to a convincing six-wicket win against world champions England in the first T20I of the first bilateral T20I series between the two sides.

Either the way Jos Buttler came out of his shell after being dropped with England looking good to post 200 or the way Bangladesh got back into the game could be the story of the match. The way some that some just found their feet on the international stage after being away from the international set-up for long period or the way Najmul Hossain Shanto dominated Mark Wood early could all be cited as singularly memorable events of the game as Bangladesh won the first T20I at Chattogram's Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday.

However, all those things happening during the same game brought a much-needed collective effort to the forefront in a confidence-boosting victory.

Having won the toss, skipper Shakib Al Hasan elected to field, citing that they were not quite sure what total they needed. During the first few overs of the England innings, the decision appeared to backfire.

Buttler and Phil Salt started steadily and soon switched to aggressive mode, with two dropped catches in the sixth over -- one by Nasum Ahmed off his own bowling before Shakib dropped a sitter to let Buttler off on 19 -- saw England put on 51 in the Powerplay. And they were looking for more.

Salt departed in the 10th over, getting the slightest nick through to Liton Das and not even realising he had done so until umpire raised his finger. His partnership with Buttler had set the tone and, although Dawid Malan was dismissed cheaply by Shakib, Buttler kept powering through, hitting to back-to-back sixes off Hasan Mahmud on way to his fifty. England reached 126 for two in 15 overs before Mustafizur Rahman removed Ben Duckett in the 16th.

Hasan had been expensive in his first two overs, conceding 21, but he came back remarkably, removing Buttler after a 42-ball 67 and Sam Curran. More importantly, his last two overs produced just five runs. England run-rate's steep climb was thwarted and they managed just 156 for six.

The way Bangladesh started their chase was crucial and a surprise was in store as Rony Talukdar came in to open with Liton Das. The duo started positively, taking the attack to the England pacers.

After Rony and Liton departed to a 14-ball 21 and nine-ball 12 respectively, Shanto and debutant Towhid Hridoy took over. The Powerplay produced 54 runs as Hridoy showed he was a proper player. Then Shanto smashed Wood for four fours on the trot in the seventh over. The game was set.

Shanto smacked a 30-ball 51 while Hridoy got 24 during a 65-run stand off just 39 deliveries. Shakib came in and, along with Afif Hossain, produced a 46-run stand during an unbroken stand to take Tigers to a tremendous win.