England win by 8 wickets against Bangladesh, move to top of the table

England vs Bangladesh, 20th Match, Group 1, Abu Dhabi, Oct 27 2021

Match Result: England won by 8 wickets (with 35 balls remaining)

Player of the Match: Jason Roy 

Match Report: England look unstoppable. Lock, stock and barrel! After the huge victory over the Windies, they have handed a big defeat to Bangladesh now. Their bowlers are doing all the right things to ensure the batters have don’t have to struggle much since the total to chase is low.

The chase of 125 never was supposed to be threatening and it wasn’t to be either as the openers got off to a flier. Buttler played a cameo and Roy kicked on to get them through, well almost. Malan played the anchor role and Bairstow added the finishing touch. Perfect word indeed for the England batters.

Bangladesh just haven’t had it easy. They have been underwhelming after arriving in these shores and the mega difference between them and England showed today. Shakib was out cheaply, and Rahim as well as Mahmudullah just couldn’t kick on.

That left them handicapped and they scrapped their way to 124. Post that, the England batters took the baton from the bowlers to finish it off in a hurry. Wasting no time.

Jason Roy, Player of the Match: “Very special match for us. Had to back up our last performance against WI and we came out firing with the ball. Nice to get into more of a routine now in the last couple of years (more T20 cricket being played).

It’s definitely a case of keeping wickets in hand and powering through in the back end of our innings. Working very hard on it in the last few years (against spin). It’s a part of my game that’s improved a lot.”

Mahmudullah | Bangladesh captain: “We were very disappointed the way we batted. We didn’t start well and we didn’t get any partnersips. If we get a good start, we can capitalize.

It gets difficult on a wicket like this if we don’t get a good start. We have more skillful hitters than power-hitters. I think we need to reassess a few things in batting.”

Eoin Morgan: “The bowlers have been very disciplined and have adapted well. The fielding has been good as well and has backed the bowling as well. It is a huge compliment the way our white ball cricket has come up.

We have had players fighting for places. It is crucial for Roy and Dawid to get some time on the wicket. It is great to see him like this.”

To sum it up, it was one way traffic as England motored on along on an unmanned highway. Their bowlers set the game up with a disciplined performance and the batters looked in fine touch to get them to the top of the table.

Bangladesh are currently table at the bottom two of the table and they would need a heap of results to go their way and then also win their remaining three games to qualify for the semis. Those permutations and combinations have time.