Joyful Bangladesh vow to fight to the end

WORLD CUP CRICKET: CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, March 12 (AFP) - Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan pledged his team would “fight to the end” to secure qualification for the World Cup knockout phase after a dramatic win over England on Friday.

The home side restricted England to 225 all out and made a good start to their reply, looking comfortable at 155-3 before a collapse saw them lose five wickets for just 14 runs.

But Mohammad Mahmudullah (21) and Shafiul Islam (24) took the score from a perilous 169-8 to 227-8, guiding Bangladesh to a nervy two-wicket victory. “I thought Mahmudullah and Shafiul batted exceptionally well. At one stage we thought we’d lost the game but they showed their character, how tough they are and how hard-working,” said Shakib.“I thought we’d lost the game but they just played outstandingly. I can’t describe how well they batted,” he said.

“It means a hell of a lot to the whole country. We all know we’re very emotional about cricket.”