Bangladesh v England, 1st Test, Day 4 – 5 Talking Points

The first Test between Bangladesh and England at the Chittagong headed towards a nerve testing climax by the end of the day four. Bangladesh, powered by Sabbir Rahman’s stubborn knock, batted with a no – nonsense approach giving England many moments of nervousness on the fourth day. Imrul Kayes and Mushfiqur Rahim also played a huge role. The game looked in favour of the Bangladeshis for most part of the day before late strikes from Stuart Broad made things even and ensured that England stayed in the contest.

1.Positive start to the day:

The day began on a good note for the hosts who quick chipped the remaining two English wickets at the cost of just 12 runs to bowl them out for 240 and set themselves an optimistic target.

Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes started out dangerously. Iqbal looked rash and eventually paid the price for it by losing his wicket early for just 9 runs despite getting a reprieve from substitute Haseeb Hameed when on seven.

But Bangladesh was  able to establish themselves with the help of Imrul Kayes skilful 43 runs. Mominul Haque provided him support and confidently contributed 27.

2. Batty’s roar of triumph:

Despite the sturdy 2^nd wicket stand, England kept stuck to their task and made sure that the match doesn’t slip away from their hand. Veteran Batty brought the breakthrough with the wicket of Mominul whom he trapped leg before after a successful review.

Two overs later, Batty struck again with the important wicket of Mahmudullah. There was a roar of triumph from him, Skipper Shakib al Hasan also tried taking forward the chase but could only get to a start, making 27 before falling to the off-spin of Ali.

3. Bangladesh claw back:

Post afternoon, the game heavily tilted towards the hosts’ favour. Mushfiqur Rahim and Sabbir Rahman got the chase back on track after being brought down to 140/5 in the pursuit of 286 runs target. It seemed that the match would get over by the end of the day.

But, Rahim and Sabbir knitted a solid 87 run stand for the 8th wicket and kept the game alive. Both scored at a healthy rate of 3.22 and frustrated the Englishmen who had brilliantly taken the winning momentum earlier with the help of their spinners.

Both gave the crowd a very good reason to stay at the venue and enjoy the game. England, at this stage, had the advantage but the game shifted its balance soon as Mushfiqur Rahim and Sabbir Rahman combined to defy the English bowlers. Both proved to be tough nuts and pushed the Englishmen on the backfoot.

4. Rahim loses plot; Broad strikes to England in the contest:

Mushfiqur Rahim, just like the rest of the top order, also failed to stay in the middle for a prolonged time. There was intent and poise while he was batting. His counter-attacking approach along with Rahman gave the Chittagong a lot of reason to keep cheering as the stumps arrived. The game was very much in the favour of the hosts when he was batting sturdily with Rahman in the middle. But, his efforts were brought an end after he lost his wicket for 24 after getting caught behind by a ripping off-break from Ali. Broad, later on, struck twice in back to back overs with the wickets of Mehedi Hasan and Kamrul Islam to keep England in the game.

5. Sabbir Rahman – The only hope:

Rahim may have failed in getting his team past the line but Sabbir was immovable and finished unbeaten to keep the hopes of winning bright for the hosts. The right-handed debutant is the only batsman left. Tomorrow will a testing day for him. Logically the game is in no team’s favour.

The batting side needs 33 runs to win while a couple of good overs would see England wipe out the remainder of two-wicket and pocket the match. Therefore, home fans would hope that Rahman clings on with the tail and guides hi team to a famous victory.