Bairstow and Buttler enable Lions to draw level with Bangladesh A
Bairstow made 50 not out from 65 balls, putting on an unbroken 70 with Jos Buttler, who hit 41no from 39, to wrap up a six-wicket win with 12 and a half overs to spare
Four wickets from Stuart Meaker had set England Lions on their way.
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Hide AdThe Surrey fast bowler removed Rony Talukder and Raqibul Hasan early in the hosts’ innings and returned to snare the last two wickets in successive deliveries as Bangladesh were bowled out for 176 despite Nazimuddin’s unbeaten 99.
Meaker struck with the fourth ball of the match, bowling Talukder – who had hit two of the previous three to the boundary, setting the tone for an expensive spell from Meaker.
Nazimuddin anchored the innings superbly but wickets fell steadily at the other end, spinners Danny Briggs and Scott Borthwick claiming two apiece in an impressive bowling display.
It was Meaker who took the bowling plaudits, though, leaving Nazimuddin stranded short of his century when he bowled Enamul Haque and then went through last man Robiul Islam’s defences at the first time of asking to finish with 4-47 from eight overs.
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Hide AdThe tourists quickly lost openers Jason Roy and Bairstow’s Yorkshire clubmate Joe Root to slump to 23-2, but James Vince (44) and James Taylor (26) steadied the ship with a third-wicket stand of 48.
Bairstow then made his quickfire half-century and, ably assisted by Buttler, ensured England won comfortably