12 March,2011 07:33 AM IST | | 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 yesterday.
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."
The skipper acknowledged it would still be tough for his side to qualify and they would probably have to win both of their last two matches against the Netherlands and South Africa to stand a chance.
