In what has been a fascinating Test match so far, Bangladesh enter the final day’s play hoping to somehow get their first ever win in the longest form of the game over England, who only need two wickets. Join The Roar for live scores of Day 5 from 3pm (AEDT).
Tension was the name of the game towards the end of Day 4 as the match almost came to an end, and it may well have if bad light hadn’t been called with five overs to go.
England, after a disastrous start to their second innings, recovered strongly on Day 3 and the early parts of yesterday, and with Ben Stokes leading the way with 85 they scored 240, setting the Tigers 286 to win.
Given how the pitch has played, taking turn from the first overs of the match, it looked like an uphill battle for Bangladesh and even more so when you remember they were knocked over for 248 in their first innings.
As much as it looked like the game would be over yesterday, Bangladesh dug in for the long hall and batted out 78 overs, finishing the day’s play on 8 for 253, a mere 33 runs short of the target to record a historic win.
While there were plenty of contributions from the top order, it was the partnership of captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who ended with 39, and the unbeaten Sabbir Rahman (59) that paved the way for Bangladesh to get within touching distance of victory.
However, the wicket of Rahim saw the first part of the tail fold away as they lost 3 for 11. Heading into stumps, though, Rahman was joined by Taijul Islam, who is unbeaten on 11, to build a 15-run stand.
Rahman’s tactics batting with the tail, though, were baffling, as he consistently took singles early in the over and left Taijul to the sharks.
Nonetheless, he survived to stumps and Bangladesh are still in with a shout.
Prediction
Can Bangladesh pull off a miracle? Either way, it’s not going to take long to find out with the match so nearly over.
Those 35 runs seem so, so far away for the Tigers when they only have two wickets left. If Sabbir Rahman can get himself back in, and fix up his tactics of batting with the tail, then they have a chance.
Patience for him will be key, but the closer it gets the louder the home crowd is going to get, and the greater the pressure will be on England’s bowlers.
You have to expect them to get the job done, but this is going to be a classic finish to what has been an unexpectedly fantastic Test match.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of the fascinating conclusion to this match from 3pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
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JimmyB
Guest
I'd say that the real stuff has already started David.
JimmyB
Guest
Agreed, England were well in all of those matches and if memory serves were done over by the weather in one.
David a Pom
Guest
Good win by England, fought hard and didn't fold, unlike Australia had they been in a similar situation. Few stumbles along the way, but you expect that in their first game of a long sub-continent tour. Hoping for a more comprehensive performance in the 2nd test, before the real stuff starts in India. Credit to Bangladesh too.
Colin N
Guest
I would agree with the point about England having average spinners and the batting line-up not being as strong as it was, but I query the 'comfortable' 2-0 win for Pakistan in 2015. England were very close to winning the first Test and were well in the game in the third Test before Hafeez took the game away from them. Pakistan also won every toss which helped them.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
The unfortunate aspect of this match is much of the focus has fallen on England with many fans having a chuckle at their expense or questioning their credentials. In doing this it takes away from a very accomplished display by Bangladesh with them a very dangerous team at home and a match for anyone. They would have challenged anyone with the display they put in during this match and beaten a fair few lesser teams. England won, despite no contributions from their batting big two and their bowling spearhead not playing. They also came back from being under the cosh big time with the bat and ball in both innings to win showing their resolve and fight as a team Good teams are defined by winning the close ones in foreign confines
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
"England are much better on spinning decks than us. They have beaten both Sri Lanka and India the last time they toured those countries." Brasstacks both of those series wins by England were four years ago when England had a much different (and better) team - Swann, Pietersen, Strauss, Trott, Panesar, Prior and Anderson (who is expected to miss a lot of the India series). Anderson, Swann and Panesar were the keys to that victory in India with the ball. Now England will be without Anderson for most of the India series and have very ordinary spin options compared to Swann and Panesar. When England most recently played in Asia (11 months ago) they were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Pakistan. In that series, England's spinners averaged nearly 60 with the ball. India are insanely good at home, and I just can't see how on those turning pitches England will be able to compete strongly with them when they have poor spin options. As for Australia, a 4-0 loss in India is a formality.
Brasstacks
Guest
England are much better on spinning decks than us. They have beaten both Sri Lanka and India the last time they toured those countries. The same cannot be said for us. In fact, had we been played this test match against Bangladesh, we would have lost. The two main reasons being England have a much stronger and longer lower order batting and they have a stomach for a fight. I expect the England-India series to be hard fought with India winning 3-2 or 3-1 with a drawn match. I expect us to be rolled over 5-0 when we tour next year.
JimmyB
Guest
Take a bow Ben Stokes, such a good cricketer, he always gives his all. Commiserations to Bangladesh, cold comfort, but they're improving all the time. What a great test match!
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Wow what a Test match, thrilling stuff! Heartbreaking for Bangladesh that would have been the biggest Test win in history. I suggested last week England would have a tough time winning this series. I can't see how they will win a single Test in India against a much stronger side. Same goes for Australia.
Andy
Guest
please all groundsman everywhere look at this test match. this pitch was beautiful, day 5 and fast bowlers from both ends, spinners used thru out and if you can bat you get runs.
Scott Pryde
Expert
So then, England by 23 runs in what will become a famous Test match. The second is just a matter of days away and Bangladesh will be aiming to fire and fight again to get their first ever victory in the longest format of the game against England. The Roar will once again carry live scores throughout the match, as we are for the ongoing Pakistan vs West Indies and India vs New Zealand series. The Australian summer of cricket is only just over a week away, and as always we will have live coverage of each and every day throughout the summer, so be sure to stay tuned to The Roar.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nope, the result will go the way it looked like it would. Shafiul Islam has been struck on the pad by the hero of the day, Ben Stokes not playing a shot and been fired. He has been given and England take victory by just 23 runs in what was so nearly a historic win for the hosts. Shafiul reviews, but it amounts to nothing and Sabbir Rahman's faith in the tail has come unstuck over the space of three balls. Nonetheless, a fighting effort for Bangladesh to get so close.
Paul Potter
Roar Guru
Bugger. What a Test though! On the edge of my seat. Well done to Stokes for taking the final two wickets.
Scott Pryde
Expert
And there is number 9. A review has brought Taijul unstuck, and all the faith Sabbir showed in him has been brought undone in one swoop. He was playing across the line, missed it and it clipped his pad. Originally given not out but the DRS has overturned it. England only had that review because of the top up after 80 overs. The number 11 for the hosts is Shafiul Islam, who for one reason or another batted at 7, scoring 2 in the first innings. Surely not though? Surely England win it from here? Still, stranger things have happened. 1 wicket, 23 runs.
Scott Pryde
Expert
New ball available, but England opt not to take it despite sticking with the pace bowlers. Taijul obviously backs his ability far more than most other tail enders around the world - Sabbir again leaves him with three balls to face and on the last ball Taijul has flicked one off the pads for a single, leaving him on strike for a full over from Broad. Nonetheless, it's another run and we are down to just 23 with two wickets in hand. Talk about tension eh.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Another over, another five runs off the target. This is just an incredibly fascinating Test match. Sabbir works a single on the third ball, once again showing faith in Taijul who has hung in there well. It almost comes to nought though as he receives a bumper from Stokes, but gets enough glove on it to send it over the keeper and on its way to the fence. 25 runs now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Absolutely favours the bowling team - and if Bangladesh were bowling I would be saying the same thing. Thing is Taijul is hanging in there and Sabbir batting well. It's not that many runs. What an incredible day this could be for Bangladesh.
Scott Pryde
Expert
And the tension builds some more! Sabbir starts the day's scoring smartly with a couple through the covers before he gets an inside edge for a single that brings Taijul on strike. He defends the last two and the required target is down to 30. England taking the somewhat surprising decision to go with pace from both ends - Ben Stokes to bowl.
Brian
Guest
I generally feel this scenario favours the bowling team. I daresay they would have put some serious time into the batting deficiencies of No 10 & 11. The bowling plans for those two must surely be more detailed then the normal. So assuming they can execute with fresh bowlers and potentially a new ball they should win. Of course its mightily close a few heaves or knicks missing fielders and Bangladesh would win
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stuart Broad, bowling at Rahman to start off the morning.