Mehedi, Shakib help Bangladesh create history in Dhaka

The skipper also praised opening batsman Tamim Iqbal who scored the series’ highest total of 267 runs including a century in the first innings of the second Test. “Tamim was outstanding, especially in the first innings in Chittagong”.

Mehedi took his second six-wicket haul of the match as England, chasing 273 for a series sweep on a hard surface, went from 100 without loss to 164 all out on a dramatic third evening.

While Bangladesh celebrated their first Test win over opponents other than the West Indies or Zimbabwe and only their third success in the format on home soil and eighth overall in 95 matches, England face an almighty next assignment in India.

Mehedi took 6-77 in the second innings to rip through England, which lost all 10 wickets in the post-lunch session in its pursuit of 273 runs to win. Ben Duckett’s dismissal by Mehedi was not enough, as the firm duo of Alastair Cook and Joe Root were at the crease. While Bangladesh savour their win in Dhaka, Cook will be far more concerned by the frailties of his team exposed by the home side than the behaviour of his talismanic all-rounder.

England’s batsmen struggled with the young spinner as they lost all 10 wickers for just 64 runs after tea.

England were in a comfortable position at 100 for 0 in the chase of 273. England leg-spinner Adil Rashid took four for 52.

When umpires called lunch on day-3, Bangladesh were 244 runs ahead, with three wickets left.

They extended their lead to 272 thanks to important contributions from Imrul Kayes (78) and Shakib Al Hasan (41).

Jonny Bairstow missed a simple stumping chance off Ansari when Shakib Al Hasan was on 16. England’s use of technology was also erratic, failing with one DRS attempt against Mushfiqur – Ansari’s delivery pitching outside leg – but opting not to review a pair of lbw appeals from Moeen’s bowling, against Shakib and Mushfiqur, that would likely have been overturned.

“The coach was a bit fired up, we didn’t bowl that well before tea, but after that they realised if they bowled in good areas rather than chasing wickets it would be better”.

Cook therefore believes their naivety in such situations proved crucial as he said: “It is unbelievable how things can turn”.

England leave for a five-Test series against the world No.1 team, India – a tour for which Cook rated England as “pretty heavy underdogs” – later this week.

England 2nd innings: Alastair Cook c Mominul b Mehedi 59, B Duckett b Mehedi 56, J Root lbw b Shakib 1, G Ballance c Tamim b Mehedi 5, M Ali lbw Mehedi 0, B Stokes b Shakib 25, J Bairstow c Shuvagata b Mehedi 3, C Woakes not out 9, A Rashid lbw b Shakib 0, Z Ansari c Kayes b Shakib 0, S Finn lbw b Mehedi 0.

“I’m really glad that we came to Bangladesh and that it was the cricket that’s done the talking, not the security”.

“Thousands came out on the streets to celebrate”, said Mahbub Hassan, police chief of Dhaka’s Mirpur neighbourhood.

“I think maybe we showed our inexperience, in one sense, in sub-continent conditions in terms of batting”, Cook added. They were 100 for none, but we had to believe that if we got one wicket at least [things would change], because on that track for the new batsman it becomes very hard.