Tigers asked to chase a daunting 327 to keep series alive

Having lost the series opener, Bangladesh are faced with an uphill task of a big chase to stay alive in the three-match series after England piled up a formidable total in the second ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday.

The visitors scored 326 for seven after 50 overs, courtesy of a 109-run stand for the fourth wicket by opener Jason Roy and skipper Jos Buttler. Roy registered his career's 12th century with his 124-ball 132, featuring 18 boundaries and a six, while Buttler struck five boundaries and two maximums for his 76 off 64 deliveries.

Jason Roy celebrates his century. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Jos Buttler raises his bat after scoring fifty. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Experienced campaigner Moeen Ali, who is well familiar with Bangladesh conditions, exploited the foundation set by Roy and Buttler to great effect as his 35-ball 42, with five fours and two sixes, helped up the ante in the death overs. All-rounder Sam Curran, the player of the latest T20I World Cup who returned to the ODI side, played a handy 19-ball 33-run cameo as the reigning world champions tallied 84 runs in the final 10 overs.     

Taskin Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers for the Tigers with three scalps -- of Phil Salt, Will Jacks and Moeen -- in stark contrast with fellow quick Mustafizur Rahman, who had yet another disappointing outing in the middle; having gone wicketless while conceding 63 runs in 10 overs. 

Taskin continues to impress. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Mehedi Hasan Miraz took two wickets, the second was a superb return catch to remove Buttler after getting Dawid Malan (11), centurion and player-of-the-match in the series opener, out with a leg-before dismissal.

Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal's decisions to send England in to bat and then choosing to operate with two spinners in Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam remained questionable as the duo failed to trouble the England openers early on. Shakib, however, picked the important wicket of Roy in his final spell but he and Taijul – who also scalped one -- remained somewhat expensive.