Chittagong Test tit-bit
Sports Reporter, Chittagong
Shakibs 150 and 15th five-for
Shakib Al Hasan could have been mass enemy after the way he threw away his wicket to a brainless shot in the just second ball of the third day. In Test cricket such type shot at the very beginning of the day is crime indeed. And Shakibs presence in the wicket was imperative since Bangladesh were seeking a lead. The most wretched shot, ever anyone has seen off late, forced Bangladesh conceded a 45-run lead in a wicket which increasingly was deteriorating. But Shakib saved his face for the time being as his magnificent bowling helped Bangladesh reduce England 28 for three at lunch. He ended the day with five for 79, his 15th five-for in Test but Ben Stokes later played a technically formidable 85 runs to take the control. As Shakib claimed the prized scalp of Joe Root with an arm ball, he became the first Bangladeshi and 99th bowler of the world to take 150 wickets in longer version format. He is now 147 short to be the 14th all-rounder of the world to score 300 runs and 150 wickets simultaneously.
Moeens lucky escape
Moeen Ali and escape became synonymous in this match. After surviving five video reviews during his batting in the first innings, Moeen Ali came to the crease in the second innings at a moment when England were in real trouble with the scoreboard reading 28 for three. He as usually began watchfully but at the same time struggled on a pitch offering turn and bounce aplenty. It was the incident when he was on 6. A Shakib Al Hasan trademark straight delivery which Moeen punched to the leg side almost got him as always alert Mominul Haque took a catch at short leg. His celebration wasnt as joyous as it should be but Bangladesh appealed loudly. The soft signal was not out but umpires took the help of third umpire. The replay however showed the ball has clipped the helmet and ricocheted off the visor and down into his hands. Sixth time lucky! But this time, he couldnt make it count and was out on 14 off that Shakib Al Hasan delivery.
A manic morning session
While the first two days morning session was relatively quiet, the third days morning was sensational. Bangladesh were bowled out, losing the rest of five wickets for just 27 and then England stuttered to 28-3. Eight wickets were fallen in just two hours, making it a manic session and made it sure that the Test is not going to be fifth day which was on the cards even at the end of the second days play.
Mehedis perception
The 27th over of Englands second innings. Mehedi Hasan Miraj was bowling to Moeen Ali. All of a sudden he ran towards the batting strike as Moeen took a breath in the interval of another delivery. Miraj took batting stance like left hand batsman. Since Moeen Ali is a left hand batsman, Mehedi actually tried to understand where he should pitch the ball to get the wicket of Moeen. They said Mehedi is matured more than his age and his ability to read the game is quite fantastic. It is all right. Mehedi however didnt get that wicket but immediate next over, Shakib finally got rid of Moeen.
Bairstow eclipses Andy Flower
Jonny Bairstow played a fine 52-run knock in the first innings to be the first wicket-keeper since Andy Flower to score 1000 runs in a calendar year. Unfortunately he couldnt surpass Flower for just one run. In the second he made it by eclipsing the Zimbabwean great. Someone may argue about the likes of Brendan McCullum and Kumar Sangakkara who made scoring 1000 runs in a calendar year their habit but no one did it as a designated wicket-keeper. McCullum scored 1164 Test runs in 2014 and Sangakkara in 2004 (1114 runs) and 2006 (1242 runs) but that year they did play as only specialist batsman.
