All-round Stokes keeps Tigers at bay
Syed Mohammed Pithu, Ctg
Bangladesh apparently lost the control of the first Test after Ben Stokes put Shakib Al Hasans five-wicket haul in shed, showing a stellar all-round performance to make England favourite on a pitch which was increasingly deteriorating as the time progressed.
Stokes ripped through Bangladesh tail in a display of fine reverse-swing to claim four for 26, including three in the third days morning to help the side gain 45-run lead by bowling the hosts out for 248 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday. Then his restrained, yet aggressive 85-run helped England end the third day 228 four eight, stretching the lead to 273 a significant advantage on a pitch offering turn and variable bounce aplenty. Bangladeshs highest chase in fourth innings in winning cause is 217 for six against West Indies in 2009.
Shakib was the reason Bangladesh failed to earn a lead which was imperative in this kind of wicket as he played a brainless shot on the second ball of the third day to throw his wicket after his side resumed on 221 for five. But he seemed to have amended the crime with the red cherry, reducing England to a precarious 28 for three at lunch.
Mehedi Hasan Miraj broke through with the prized wicket of Alastair Cook for 12, induced by quicker delivery. Joe Root (1) and Ben Duckett (15) failed to negotiate the straighter delivery of Shakib as England lost three for two runs. Shakib continued tormenting the English batsmen after the lunch and when England was left to 62 for five after the departure of stubborn Moeen Ali, Bangladesh sniffed a chance to push the visitors vigorously.
It was when Ben Stokes showed the talent he got in demanding conditions. He drove the innings with serenity and the patience aside from one early sweep for six over square leg off Taijul Islam.
It was not until the final session he unleashed his natural shots from the repertoire and smacked six fours and two more sixes in a stay that spanned 46 overs. The second of his sixes, again off Taijul, was hoisted high over midwicket to bring up a 102-ball fifty.
Jonny Bairstow came up with apt support and steadied the ship alongside Stokes. He followed up his 52 in the first innings with 47.
Fast bowler Kamrul Islam was the unlikely man to break the partnership and grabbed his maiden wicket as Bairstows attempted cut dragged the ball on to his stump, bring an end to the 127-run partnership.
Bairstor hit six fours in the 95 balls knock which helped him eclipse Andy Flowers 1045 runs to be the highest run-getter as a designated wicket-keeper in a calendar year.
Stokes approached to his fourth century until Shakib broke his resistance as he tried to sweep one that didnt turn as much as he expected.
Shakib then completed his five-for with the wicket of Adil Rashid for 10. Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad were undefeated on 11 and 10, respectively.
Earlier, an inspired spell by seamer Ben Stokes (4-26) helped England bowl Bangladesh out for 248. Bangladesh survived just 12 overs to add 27 runs to their overnight total of 221-5.
Off-spinner Moeen Ali started the rot in the second ball of the day as Shakib Al Hasan played a brainless shot to throw his wicket on his overnight score of 31.
SCOREBOARD
England first innings 293
( M Ali 68, J, Bairstow 52; Mehedi Hasan 6-80)
Bangladesh first innings (overnight 221-5)
Tamim c Bairstow b Batty 78
Imrul Kayes b Ali 21
Mominul c Stokes b Ali 0
Mahmudullah c Root b Rashid 38
Mushfiq c Bairstow b Stokes 48
Shakib st Bairstow b Ali 31
Shafiul c Broad b Rashid 2
Sabbir c Cook b Stokes 19
Mehedi Hasan lbw b Stokes 1
Taijul Islam not out 3
Kamrul Islam b Stokes 0
Extras (b2 lb 4 w1) 7
Total (all out, 86 overs) 248
Fall of wicket: 1-29, 2-29,
3-119, 4-163, 5-221, 6-221, 7-238, 8-239, 9-248, 10-248
Bowling O M R W
Broad 8 2 12 0
Batty 17 1 51 1
Woakes 7 2 15 0
Rashid 16 1 58 2
M Ali 22 4 75 3
Stokes 14 5 26 4
Root 2 0 5 0
England 2nd innings:
A Cook c Mahmudullah b Mehedi 12
B Duckett c Mominul b Shakib 15
J Root lbw b Shakib 1
G Ballance c Kayes b Taijul 9
M Ali c Rahim b Shakib 14
B Stokes lbw b Shakib 85
J Bairstow b Kamrul 47
C Woakes not out 11
A Rashid lbw Shakib 9
S Broad not out 10
Extras (b2 lb8 pen5) 15
Total (8 wickets, 76 overs) 228
Fall of wickets: 1- 26, 2-27, 3-28, 4-36, 5-62, 6-189,
7-197, 8-213
Bowling O M R W
Mehedi 18 1 54 1
Shakib 31 7 79 5
Taijul 15 2 40 1
Kamrul 8 0 24 1
Mahmudullah 1 0 6 0
Shafiul 3 0 10 0
