Internet Desk: England’s Jake Ball made a great ODI debut as he and Adil Rashid outran Bangladesh’s batting and bowl England to a exhilarating 21-run victory in the first match of the series in Mirpur on Friday.
Needing 310 to win under lights, Imrul Kayes played a magnificent 112 and Shakib Al Hasan with a score of 79 runs to raise Bangladesh hopes before they collapsed like novices and bowled out for 288 in the 48th over.
Ball finished with a spell of 5-51 to take the man of the match award, where as leg-spinner Rashid claimed 4-49, having also run out Shafiul Islam with a direct throw.
Earlier, Ben Stokes smashed a maiden one-day century, Ben Duckett struck a mature half-century on his 50-over debut and skipper Jos Buttler smashed a 38-ball 63 to help England post 309 for eight after they elected to bat on a hot afternoon.
Bangladesh were 153 for four in the 27th over of their reply when Kayes joined up with left hand all-rounder Al Hasan to drag them back into the game with a 118-run partnership in 15.2 overs.
The home team seemed to be cruising to victory, needing 54 in the last 10 overs with six wickets in hand, when Ball picked up two wickets in two balls and Rashid provided a two-wicket burst to bring England back in the game.
England did not miss regular one-day captain Eoin Morgan and opening batsman Alex Hales, who opted out of the tour for the security concerns, as they posted an imposing total at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.
At 63 for three in the 13th over, they looked in a spot of bother before Duckett and Stokes shared a stand of 153 to lay the foundation for a big total for the visitors.
Duckett was then bowled for 60, playing across a low full toss delivery from Islam.
Stokes dominated their partnership, clobbering four sixes and eight fours in an almost run-a-ball 101.
The stage was set up perfectly for another fiery knock from Buttler and he hit four sixes and three fours as England scored 60 off the final five overs.
Bangladesh were also a bit lazy in the field, dropping Stokes twice and suffering from indecision as to who would go for a catch on two other occasions.
The teams will return to the same venue for the second match on Sunday.