World Cup Highlights: Bangladesh shock England in 2011 World Cup

Bangladesh have an uncanny knack of springing surprises on the big stage.

The big guns such as Pakistan, India and South Africa had all fallen prey to Bangladesh in past World Cups. In the 2011 edition, Bangladesh added England to their list of scalps in a thrilling victory in Chittagong.

England had got off to a stuttering start in the tournament, winning just two of their first four matches. They won against Netherlands, tied India but were shocked by Ireland. They somehow got back on track with a win over South Africa.

Next up was Bangladesh, who had won just one of their first three matches and were bowled out for 58 by the West Indies. England were big favourites going into the match.

Shakib Al Hasan’s call to put England in to bat proved to be a right one as the Bangladesh spinners ripped through Eng;land’s batting line-up on a sluggish track. Eoin Morgan (63) and Jonathan Trott’s (67) 109-run stand for the fourth wicket provided some respectability as England posted a below-par 225.

Openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes provided a brisk start by adding 52 before Tim Bresnan cleaned up Tamim in the ninth over. Bangladesh stuttered as they lost Junaid Siddique and Raqibul Hasan in quick succession. But Kayes was calm at the other end in making a patient 60 from 100 balls, and added 82 with Shakib. However, just when it seemed Bangladesh were in cruise control at 155 for 3 in the 31st over, disaster struck.

A needless run out of Kayes, who tried to go for a risky second run, sparked a collapse. Bangladesh lost five wickets for 14 runs in nine overs to slide to 169 for 8. England appeared to have avoided a second humiliating defeat. But 55 needed off 54 balls, Shafiul Islam and Mahmudullah scripted a dramatic turnaround.

The pair began their assault by belting off-spinner Graeme Swann for 16 runs in an over. Three quiet overs followed before 11 runs were taken off Anderson in the first over of the Batting Powerplay. Shafiul then took on Tim Bresnan and cracked a couple of boundaries, and followed it up with another one off Anderson in the next over to bring up the 50-run stand.

With four needed off seven balls, Mahmudullah drove the final nail in to the coffin with a boundary to send Chittagong into a frenzy.

Shakib was in tears as Bangladesh celebrated a stunning win. The smiles were back on the fans’ faces after the embarrassing defeat against the West Indies. Mahmudullah made 21 off 42 balls while Shafiul scored run-a-ball 24 that included four fours and a six. The 58-run unbeaten stand off 56 balls kept Bangladesh alive in the competition.

In an interview with ESPNCricinfo , Shakib was full of praise for the fight that the players showed in difficult circumstances. “It’s not a normal win,” he said. “Obviously if you look at the situation, and the whole scenario of Bangladesh, it is a huge victory for us. And for the whole nation I think. Not really [an emotional win>, although I became a little bit emotional at one stage. Some of the boys showed their character, how tough they are, how hard they can work. So that paid off.”

Short highlights of Shafiul-Mahmudullah heroics.