Mashrafe Mortaza Helps Bangladesh Stun England in 2nd ODI to Level Series 1-1

Captain Mashrafe Mortaza inspired Bangladesh to a 34-run victory against England in the second one-day international on Sunday.

Mortaza hit a 29-ball 44 as Bangladesh accelerated to 238-8 in testing conditions and then claimed 4-29 to bowl out England for 204 in 44.4 overs.

The three-match series is level at 1-1.

Mahmudullah set the platform for Mashrafe with a superb 75.

Jos Buttler scored a run-a-ball 57 for England, while Jonny Bairstow made 35. Adil Rashid (33 not out) refused to give up, adding two significant partnerships after his team was reduced to 132-8.

Bangladesh held its nerve as Mortaza fittingly sealed the deal with the wicket of last man Jake Ball.

Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed took 3-47.

England found itself vulnerable on a pitch that was slower than the one used in the first match.

Mortaza admirably moved the ball both ways to spark the top-order collapse. He made the initial breakthrough with the wicket of James Vince (5).

Left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan, who opened the bowling, dismissed Ben Duckett through the gate for a duck. Mortaza then struck twice, dismissing Jason Roy (13) and Ben Stokes (0).

England was reduced to 26-4 but Buttler and Bairstow combined for a 79-run partnership. It came to an end after Bairstow's expansive drive against Ahmed cost his wicket.

But the biggest blow for England came when Ahmed won a video review to remove Buttler, who tried to flick a length ball. Buttler appeared angered by something that had been said to him and was slow to leave the pitch.

At 132-8, victory looked unlikely despite more than 20 overs still to be bowled. Rashid gave England fresh hope, adding 27 with David Willey (9) before sharing 45 runs off 37 balls with Jake Ball (28 off 22).

Mortaza broke the resistance to help his side stay alive in the series.

Earlier, Mahmudullah held together the innings after England captain Buttler opted to bowl first.

Mortaza's late surge helped give the Bangladesh bowlers something to defend.

Mortaza added 69 runs off eight overs with Nasir Hossain after Bangladesh found itself on 169-7.

Fast bowler Chris Woakes had used short balls to good effect to remove the two openers -Tamim Iqbal (14) and Imrul Kayes (11).

Ball dismissed Sabbir Rahman (3) to leave Bangladesh 39-3 before Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim combined for a 50-run partnership.

Rahim played an injudicious pull off Ball to throw away his wicket, leaving Mahmudullah to dig in deep.

Mahmudullah hit six fours in his 88-ball knock before giving away his wicket while trying to paddle-sweep against leg-spinner Rashid.

Mortaza smashed a six on only the second ball he faced. He hit two fours and three sixes before being run out on the penultimate ball.

Mosaddek Hossain contributed 29, while Nasir Hossain was 27 not out.

Fast bowlers Woakes and Ball, and leg-spinner Rashid, claimed two wickets apiece.