England sealed a dramatic final-day win over Bangladesh in Chittagong thanks to two wickets from talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes.
With 33 runs required in the morning to seal an improbable victory, Bangladesh started the day well with Sabbir Rahman looking composed again.
However, with Stuart Broad and Stokes running in and bowling fast, reverse-swinging deliveries with an old ball, England looked threatening.
England elected not to take the new ball after 80 overs, and in the 82nd over, Stokes trapped Taijul Islam in front from round the wicket.
The on-field decision was not out, but Alastair Cook chose to use one of England’s two refreshed reviews.
And his decision was vindicated – England roared in celebration collectively as three red lights appeared on the big screen.
Interestingly, it was only due to the recent DRS rule changes introduced this month that Taijul was given out – under the old rules, the on-field decision would have been upheld.
Broad and Stokes were heroic for England: combined figures of 26.3-6-51-4 in conditions where their only assistance was a bit of reverse
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) 24 October 2016
Shafiul Islam was the next man in, and just two balls into his innings, he failed to play a shot against a full ball from Stokes, and the umpire’s on-field decision was upheld upon review.
Stokes finished with 2-20 from his 11.3 overs, and is a surefire choice for man of the match.
Sabbir played excellently for his unbeaten 64, but ultimately it was not enough.
This was England’s closest victory in terms of runs outside of Ashes series; whilst that will be of scant consolation to Bangladesh, it is proof that they have improved exponentially over the past six years since the sides last met in Test cricket.
England are likely to make at least one change for the second Test, with Zafar Ansari set to play ahead of either Gary Ballance or Chris Woakes, and it is possible that Haseeb Hameed will play at the top of the order with Ben Duckett moving down to number four.
