Led by a solid 138-ball 103 from Mahmudallah and 89 by Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh scored 275-7 from their 50 overs, a total that seemed well below par by the standards seen over the last month.

But England, who have struggled to produce any sort of form throughout the tournament, never looked comfortable and lost wickets with a worrying regularity.

Ian Bell scored 63 and Jos Buttler smashed a speedy 52-ball 65 but the Bangladeshi bowlers continued to threaten, with paceman Rubel Hossain leading the way with 4-53. 

England were eventually bowled out for 260 with nine balls to spare to exit in the first round for the third time in the last five World Cups.

After other losses to Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, along with a solitary win over Scotland, the English side have struggled throughout, with the decision not to pick star batsman Kevin Pietersen something that will now be questioned. 

Dejected England players walk off the pitch following their latest loss
©Getty Images



Afghanistan will now fancy their chances in a dead rubber against England in Sydney on Friday (March 13).

Bangladesh are not guaranteed to progress from Pool A, along with unbeaten New Zealand, Australia and Sri Lanka, with only the order still to be decided. 

Attention will switch back to Pool B tomorrow, as unbeaten India take on Ireland in Hamilton, with the Irish the only European team who still have a chance to make the quarter-finals.

They, along with South Africa and Pakistan, have each won three matches so far, while West Indies have won two and Zimbabwe one. 

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