'We want to become best fielding side in Asia' - Shakib Al Hasan after historic T20I series whitewash against England

Bangladesh scripted history on Tuesday, March 14 as they completed a 3-0 whitewash over England in a T20I series after beating them by 16 runs in the third T20. It was for the first time that England were whitewashed in a three-match T20I series since 2014.

Bangladesh put up a clinical performance in the first-ever T20I series between the two teams and won the first two matches by six and four wickets respectively. Following his team’s sensational performance against the World Champions, captain Shakib Al Hasan said that it was their fielding which made the difference in the series and set his aim to become the best fielding side in Asia.

“Everyone noticed our fielding in these three matches. We out-fielded England, who are themselves a good fielding side. It is a big tick mark. Our biggest improvement is in our fielding, when I consider every aspect," Shakib said after the match.

“We should always field well, but we have targeted to become the best fielding side in Asia. After this performance, I don’t think we are too far behind," he added.

In the third match played at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh were put in to bat by England and scored 158/2 in the first innings. In reply, England were cruising at one stage as they were 100/1 after 13 overs with Jos Buttler (40* off 31) and Dawid Malan (53* off 46) at the crease.

However, both were dismissed on consecutive deliveries in the 14^th over which sparked a collapse in England's batting as they finished their innings on 142/6. Talking about his team’s approach batting first, Shakib said that they didn’t know what would be a good score on that pitch.

“We didn’t know how much runs were enough on this pitch. So, we were very open-minded," Shakib said. “We first thought 140 was a good score. Then we got to a stage when we thought 170-180 would be our total. We didn’t get many runs in the last five overs, but we batted well in the powerplay and middle overs."

Shanto and Litton put England under pressure: Shakib Al Hasan

“They have seven or eight proper bowlers so we had to struggle at least once in the innings. The way Rony and Litton started, and then Shanto and Litton build the innings, especially their running between the wickets, it was outstanding. The way they turned ones into twos and twos into threes, it put England under pressure," he added. 

Litton Das was awarded Player of the Match in the third T20I for his knock of 73 off 57 while Najmul Hossain Shanto was awarded Player of the Series for finishing as the highest run scorer as he scored 144 runs at an average of 144 and strike rate of 127.43 across three matches.

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