CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, (Reuters) – Opener Craig Kieswetter struck his maiden one-day century to lift England to a 45-run victory over Bangladesh on Friday and a clean sweep of their one-day series.
South African-born Kieswetter, who completed his four-year qualification process last month, blasted 107 for the tourists in their imposing 284 for five. Seamer Tim Bresnan then took four wickets as Bangladesh were restricted to 239 for nine.
Chasing a daunting total, Bangladesh lost opener Tamim Iqbal to the third ball of their innings but were in contention for a first win over England until a dubious lbw decision against skipper Shakib Al Hasan derailed them.
After the dismissals of Aftab Ahmed (46) and Mushfiqur Rahim (40), Shakib was rebuilding the innings when he was given out lbw off Kevin Pietersen to a delivery that pitched outside the off stump and was turning away.
Before Shakib departed for a run-a-ball 38, Bangladesh were comfortably placed at 162 for four with more than 16 overs and a batting powerplay left.
Bresnan and off-spinner Graeme Swann (2-38) then made quick work of the lower order as Bangladesh’s hopes fell away.
Earlier, after opting to bowl first, the hosts’ spinners did a good job of containing England until the last 10 overs when the tourists thumped 107 runs.
Kieswetter, playing his third one-day international, led the way by blasting nine fours and three sixes in his century.
“It’s obviously really nice to get hundred under my belt, especially so early in my career. It’s something I’m going to cherish but the fact that we won the game and the series means a lot to me too,” Kieswetter told reporters.
“I’ve had to adapt mentally, in the first two games I don’t think I was quite tactically aware of how I was going to pace my innings towards helping the team win games,” he added.
“Today I tried to pace myself a bit more. I tried to get myself in before playing too many extravagant shots.”
Eion Morgan, who cracked an unbeaten century in the previous game, chipped in with 36 and Luke Wright added 32 off only 13 balls.