England ended their World Cup preparations with a rain-damaged win against Bangladesh in Guwahati.
Using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, Joe Root and Mooen Ali led England to a four-wicket win with a stunning partnership of 79 in 10 overs.
After being eliminated from their clash with India on Saturday, England suffered further weather frustrations as they prepared to launch their World Cup defense against New Zealand on Thursday.
England were set a revised target of 197 in 37 overs after Bangladesh’s innings was disrupted by a three-hour rain delay.
Dawid Malan grabbed a slip with just four balls to spare, but England got to 50 within five overs as Jonny Bairstow scored 34 from 21 balls.
There were concerns for England as Bairstow required medical attention on his back in the middle and the batsman felt further discomfort when Mustafizur Rahman soon dislodged his leg-stump brush.
Harry Brook was also bowled out for 17 but Jos Buttler maintained England’s momentum, hitting five fours and a six in a 15-ball 30.
Buttler’s blitzkrieg ended when he pulled Shoriful Islam to allow Towhid Hridoy an easy catch at the deep square boundary.
England were 114 for five after Liam Livingstone drove Taskin Ahmed to middle and Najmul Hossain Shanto managed to get his fingers under the ball and leap forward.
At this point, Bangladesh smelled a surprise win, but Root, who scored 26 valuable runs after a recent run of poor form, and Moeen dominated.
England beat Bangladesh in the World Cup warm-up
(AP)
Moeen hammered 56 off 39 balls before falling four runs short of victory and England eventually prevailed in 24.1 overs with 77 balls remaining.
Bangladesh made 188 for nine after rain reduced their innings to 37 overs.
Only Mehidy Hasan Miraz (74) and Tanzid Hasan (45) got beyond 20 as Buttler used nine bowlers and rotated his attack in hot and humid conditions.
Bangladesh won the toss but Buttler said he was content to field and train his bowlers despite the prospect of rain.
Mark Wood was back in action for the first time since the Ashes and bowled with great pace and accuracy.
Wood hit Tanzid’s middle stump while Reece Topley took three for 23 from five and Adil Rashid and David Willey took two wickets each.
