Mastering the Pace

In a cricketing era dominated by spin, Bangladesh's fast bowlers defied convention, scripting a historic triumph over England in the 2015 World Cup. The unsung heroes of Bangladesh propelled their country to their first-ever quarter-final victory in the World Cup.

Rubel Hossain launches into celebration and the last English batsman goes down | Source: Medium

The resounding click as James Andersen’s stumps were dislodged marked more than the end of England’s run in the 2015 World Cup – it etched Bangladesh's historic entry into the quarter-finals. Rubel Hossain and Taskin Ahmed, the unsung heroes with the ball, showcased their pace-bowling brilliance, leaving cricket enthusiasts in awe. For ardent followers of the game, this match stands as a pivotal moment for Bangladeshi bowlers, finally earning the recognition they long deserved.

The Bangladeshi batsmen had set the stage with Mahmudullah's century and Mushfiqur Rahim's commanding 89, amassing a commendable score of 275 runs for the loss of seven wickets. England, already facing a lacklustre tournament, struggled to find its rhythm after defeating Afghanistan by a mere 9 wickets.

Moeen Ali's early dismissal at 19 raised concerns, but Ian Bell emerged as a formidable force. However, the turning point came when Taskin Ahmed's pace dismantled Bell's stumps at 63, setting a gloomy tone for England. The required run rate soared, and England found itself grappling with the daunting task of scoring 95 runs in the final 10 overs with only four wickets in hand.

Taskin Ahmed's pace once again proved decisive, dismissing Jos Buttler and initiating a sequence of events that frustrated England's hopes. Chris Jordan's run-out, a contentious decision reviewed by the third umpire, added to England's woes. With 38 runs needed from 24 balls, Stuart Broad's six against Taskin briefly reignited hope.

Yet, Rubel Hossain's precision, dismantling Broad's stumps and dismissing Anderson, sealed England's fate. Chris Woakes fought valiantly with an unbeaten 42 runs, but victory belonged to Dhaka. Bangladesh's bowlers and fielders demonstrated exceptional skill, restricting England to 260 runs, and securing Bangladesh's first entry into the quarter-finals.

While India handed them a subsequent defeat, Bangladesh's triumph over England showcased the might of their pacers, transcending mere victory to underline the skill and determination of their cricketing arsenal.