Stokes the hero as England triumphs
England wrapped up victory by 22 runs on a tense fifth morning in the first Test against Bangladesh, Ben Stokes proving the hero once again on Monday (October 24).
Both teams had spent an uneasy night with Bangladesh ending the fourth day on 253 for 8 in 78 overs, faced with a target of 286. The home team would have fancied its chances of a famous win when it resumed, with Sabbir Rahman, on debut, looking assured. But while Sabbir remained unconquered, he could add only five runs to his overnight total. Sabbir was left stranded on 64 not out as Stokes nipped out Taijul Islam and Shafiul Islam in 25 minutes of play to bowl Bangladesh out for 263 in 81.3 overs.
Stokes, who had taken four wickets in the Bangladesh first innings and then made a crucial 85 in England’s second, was named the man of the match.
The win gave England a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series, the team narrowly avoiding a first Test defeat against Bangladesh after the home side had mounted a spirited chase.
"It was a really good Test match, to think we were here on day five with that wicket," Alastair Cook, the England captain, said after the game.
"It was such a tight game, so credit to both sides. I'm glad we held our nerve, the quality we have in our attack, we got it reversing."
Sabbir and Taijul began well on the last day, looking to score runs where available with England opting to go with pace in handing the ball to Stuart Broad and Stokes. The duo stuck to the old ball, not taking the new one though it was available two overs into the day, and that proved to be the right decision.
Taijul had got a glove to a Stokes bouncer that went over the wicketkeeper’s head for four, but Stokes had his revenge in the next over, hitting the pad with the batsman moving far across the stumps. England won the decision on review, which meant Taijul had to leave for 16.
Two balls later, Stokes struck Shafiul on the front pad with the batsman not offering a shot. Bangladesh had to review the decision and it did so, but to no avail, as England converged in a celebratory hug.
Despite coming agonisingly close to what would have been their most famous Test victory, Mushfiqur Rahim said he was proud of his team's performance.
"Probably it was not in our favour, 33 runs and two wickets, but the boys put in so much effort over the last five day. After 15 months, I'm really proud," the Bangladesh captain said.
"Our boys fought it out which is really impressive and hopefully we'll do the same in the next match."
The second and final Test of the series starts in Dhaka on October 28.