and there's the hit, pulled smoothly for four, Bairstow slots it through midwicket and England win by eight wickets. A stroll in the afternoon sunshine
2.15pm: Time to hear from the captains, starting with Mahmudullah: "Definitely, we were disappointed with the batting, it was a good wicket but we didn't start well and didn't have any partnerships in the middle either. We've been lacking a good start, on these wickets it gets difficult later on. We are more skilled hitters than power hitters, we don't want to change that because we believe we can post good totals. We need to reassess and come up with a good plan."
England skipper Eoin Morgan: "The bowlers have started the tournament exceptionally well, they've adapted really well again today, very disciplined and backed up with good catching and ground fielding. It's a huge compliment to how far our white-ball cricket in general has come along, a lot of players involved in the 2019 World Cup success and that's lent itself to T20 cricket as well. [Roy] It's nice for him and Dawid to get some time at the wicket. The way Jason plays is so imposing, makes it difficult to set fields, so great to see him in good touch."
Right, that'll do. Andrew Miller is tapping up his final report, and we've already started our build-up to Namibia vs Scotland, the evening fixture in Abu Dhabi. As ever, thanks for your contribs. From myself, Debayan and Chandan, it's cheerio for now. Bye!
2.05pm: Wrapped like shawarma, England take the points and can go seek a shady spot. They weren't made to sweat (at least figuratively) by a below-par Bangladesh batting display, and now sit on a very healthy NRR as well as two wins from two in Group 1. Things seem to be coming together nicely, despite the niggles for Mark Wood and Tom Curran. Moeen has embraced his role with the new ball, Mills looked during the death overs, and then Roy played the perfect innings at top, helping to silence some of the doubts about England's abilities against spin
Jason Roy is named Player of the Match after making 61 off 38 in his 50th T20I: "Very special match for us, we had to back up our last performance and came out firing with the ball. A lot of credit to our bowlers again. [Game changed over years?] You grow up a tiny bit, at the start of my career it was sporadic T20s here and there, nice to get into more of a routine now. Want to get off to as good a start as possible, but these pitches can be quite hard to do so. Today I hit a few gaps but it's definitely a case of keeping wickets in hand and then powering through the back end. [Facing spin] It's a part of my game that's improved a lot, today was a big test, so I had to use all the skills I've learned."
England a hit away...
Mohsin: "Surely Stokes can play in place of Malan, He can bat at 4 or 5 and Bairstow can move up a batting order. He can bat bowl and field. A true 3D player." You say that, Mohsin (and I sort of agree), but dropping Malan is harder than it looks!
fullish with pace off and nudged to square leg
another legcutter, 106kph/66mph and steered towards backward point, it squirms away from Mahedi and they take one
short and slapped to the cover rope! Just an extension of the arms, Malan pings it over the infield and away
cutter into the surface, 114kph and tapped down leg side for one
"From the matches gone, I guess Eng and Aus from Group 1 and Pak and either of India/NZ from Group 2 will make it to the last 4," says Juzer. "Any other thoughts?" Don't rule out SL (on form) and Afghanistan (unpredictability), I reckon
length ball out the side of the hand, 135kph/84mph and heading leg side, nudged off the pads
short of a length, into the pitch and prodded square
Mustafizur Rahman returns
"I'm actually a bit worried as an England fan," whispers Dezz, looking for the cloud to go with the silver lining. "If they are going to win the tournament they need at least couple of really tough group games to prepare them for the knockouts."
pitched up and driven into the covers, half-stopped by Shakib but they get a couple
Roy walks off frustrated, England just 13 from victory. YJB trots out to try and finish things
ramped again, but well taken at third! Think he was looking to get it all the way once more, but there's not enough pace on Shoriful's delivery, with the longer boundaries at AD, and Nasum Ahmed runs in to scoop up an excellent, low catch
Malan nurdles another single, gives the strike back
"No Stokes or Archer, yet England still formidable you have to say." Yes, Richard Bond, they are looking good. Although arguably Stokes' absence avoids the complications of having to play him but not being sure of his best role
fired into the pitch, makes room and punches this off side
cheeky, rampy clobberage! Roy swats another over the ropes, moving across early and targeting the bouncer, sending it up and away over his shoulder
short of a length and skidding on to hit above the knee roll
Malan clears the decks and swings leg side, doesn't get much of it but they pick up two
pushed through and clipped to long-on
kapow! Thumped down the ground to raise his fifty! Too full and he clears the front leg, mows it for a straight six - raise of the bat for his seventh T20I half-century, from just 33 balls
flighted, 77kph/48mph delivery that Roy ends up jamming into his pads via the inside edge
stays round the wicket to Malan, tossed up and tickled through mid-off
whirly delivery, full on off and driven down the ground
Nasum Ahmed is back on
"England in sight of fresh Shawarma rather than pina coladas." An equally pleasing thought, Riz. Although I suspect they'll want a cold drink either way
full, 134kph/84mph and dug out to extra cover - Shoriful dotting them up against Mala
1W | ||||
1W |
1W | ||||
1W | 1W | |||
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi | |
Toss | Bangladesh, elected to bat first |
Series | |
Season | 2021/22 |
Player Of The Match | |
Match number | T20I no. 1369 |
Match days | 27 October 2021 - day (20-over match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee | |
Points | England 2, Bangladesh 0 |
Over 15 • ENG 126/2
England won by 8 wickets (with 35 balls remaining)