Cricket world stunned by England humiliation after unprecedented fail

The cricket world has been left astonished after England's highly-ranked T20 team was swept in a three game series against Bangladesh. It's a bitter blow for England with the Cricket World Cup approaching later in 2023, with the hosts potentially proving they'll be no pushovers in India later this year.

Bangladesh had already sealed their first series victory in any format against England thanks to six and four wicket victories in the first two matches respectively. After winning the toss and electing to bowl in the final T20 of the series, England fell 17 runs short of victory despite having four wickets in hand.

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Fans were left baffled by the ordinary performance across the board from England - particularly given they held the upper hand in the third and final match. Despite losing opener Phil Salt in the first over, England looked to have steadied thanks to a second-wicket partnership of 95 between Dawid Malan and Jos Buttler.

Things began to unravel soon after though, with Mustafizur Rahman bringing up his 100th T20I wicket by removing Malan for 53. A short time later, Buttler was run-out in a moment he admitted 'potentially cost us the game' after a lazy run between wickets.

"I'm really disappointed in myself for not diving and not making my ground. You know you should be fully committed to making that run,” Buttler said after the match.

“The wicket played better as it went on and I thought it was a good score to restrict them to. And we got into a position where hopefully we (could) kick on and win the game. But that didn’t happen.”

On social media, fans erupted after Bangladesh's historic series victory over one of the most established cricketing nations. Adding to the achievement was the fact it was the first time Bangladesh had faced England in a T20 series.

England at sea after successive white-ball series defeats

Buttler's white ball team, world champions in both 50-over and 20-over formats, have now lost nine of their 12 limited overs matches since winning the T20 World Cup in Melbourne in November. The series in Bangladesh were their first T20 outings since becoming lifting the trophy and they paid the price for fielding XIs light on batting losing by six wickets, four wickets and, on Tuesday, 16 runs.

"That one hurts," said England's Australian coach Matthew Mott. "To finish the way we did will leave a bit of a sour taste in our mouths.

"It should act as a real eye-opener on where we need to improve. Bangladesh definitely outfielded us in most of the games but particularly in this match. That's something we're going to focus a lot on."

England delivered a slipshod fielding performance in the field with Rehan Ahmed and Ben Duckett spilling simple catches. Litton Das, who was dropped by Duckett on 51, top-scored with 73 off 57 balls, putting on 84 with Najmul Hossain Shanto, who contributed an unbeaten 47 from 36.

England's seamers finished strongly, allowing Bangladesh just 27 in the last five overs, but the total proved enough. It did not look that way when Buttler, batting at three for the first time in his international career as part of a rejigged top order, was in harness with Malan.

However when their wickets fell in quick succession, England struggled to find any answers. Wickets tumbled and though tailender Chris Woakes hit the first two balls off the final over for four, the 27 required was never likely.

"That over, two set batsmen got out in two balls, changed the game completely," Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan said.

Taksin Ahmed (42-26 off four) then dismissed Duckett and Moeen Ali as England ended a long and initially successful winter with defeat.

With AAP

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