The Lancashire all-rounder hit an explosive 70 off only 47 balls as the tourists took only 27.4 overs to chase down Bangladesh's modest 134 for nine.

Flintoff dominated a 100-run fourth-wicket stand with Michael Vaughan after England had lost three wickets in the first 13 overs.

Somerset left-hander Marcus Trescothick gave England a flying start by crashing the first delivery from Tapash Baisya through point for four, but his fellow opener Vikram Solanki was unable to trouble the scorers before being trapped leg before by Baisya playing across the line.

He was followed three overs later when Trescothick was bowled off an inside edge, attempting to hit Mushfiqur Rahman through mid-on.

The pressure on England was further increased when Paul Collingwood was bowled by Baisya, trying to pull a delivery which was not short enough.

But that brought Flintoff to the crease. He refused to be distracted by the fires burning around the stadium, started by the crowd in response to England's increasingly imminent victory.

Having hit Mushfiqur for one six, he was dropped off the same bowler on 26 - attempting another big shot over long-on.

But that did not stop Flintoff hitting a four and six from successive balls off left-arm spinner Rafique.

Flintoff also brought up his half-century with a six off captain Khaled Mahmud and fittingly hit the winning runs off the same bowler in his next over when he crashed him through mid-on for four.

Earlier, Bangladesh slumped to seven for four inside the first 10 overs - with new-ball pair Jimmy Anderson and Richard Johnson claiming two wickets each.

But once again England struggled to find a ruthless streak and firstly allowed fifth-wicket pair Rajin Saleh and Mushfiqur Rahman to add 53 runs and halt a complete capitulation.

Having ended that stubborn stand and reduced Bangladesh to 80 for eight with 10 overs of the innings remaining, England were unable to close out the innings, Mohammad Rafique hitting an unbeaten 27 to take Bangladesh not only past three figures but almost within reach of Friday's total.

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