Tuesday, October 25, 2016

England foil Bangladesh fairytale to clinch narrow 22-run win


A double strike from Ben Stokes has crushed Bangladesh dreams as England clinched a narrow 22-run win to have the last say in a thrilling opening Test.

England took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Bangladesh resumed on 253-8 on Monday morning needing 33 more with two wickets in hand for what would have been an epic first Test win over England in nine attempts and eighth overall in 94 matches.

The Tigers hopes rested on debutant Sabbir Rahman, who resumed on 59, while Taijul Islam, who had his share of strike late in the penultimate day, appeared to have capable hands.

England skipper Alastair Cook called upon Stuart Broad to bowl the first over. Although the new ball was due in two overs, England decided not to take it.

Sabbir's first runs came from a sweetly-timed push square towards the offside for a two before he inside edged to fine leg for a single. Taijul then flashed a Stokes bouncer over Jonny Bairstow's head which reached the fence behind the wicket.

The duo negotiated the first three overs safely and shaved off 10 runs from the target.

But Stokes returned to cap his superb allround performance with Bangladesh's final wickets. He trapped Taijul in front and England captain Alastair Cook successfully reviewed the umpire's not out decision to end the dogged ninth wicket stand of 25.

Bangladesh needed Sabbir back on strike but Stokes struck again to dismiss number 11 Shafiul Islam leg before. The batsman opted for a review - the 26th of the match - but it proved futile. Bangladesh were all out for 263.

Sabbir remained unbeaten on 64 for Bangladesh.

England spinner returned 3-65 and Stokes, Broad and Moeen Ali each picked up two wickets.

Stokes was adjudged Man-of-the-Match for his allround exploits. He grabbed a total of six wickets in the match and scored 103 runs in two innings combined.

The second Test begins on Friday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

No comments:

Post a Comment