On this day in 2016: Bangladesh register their first Test win over England
Bangladesh are to reach their full potential in international cricket even though they have succeeded in shedding off the ‘minnows’ tag forever. While they have defeated quality sides like India, Pakistan, South Africa, etc. in their backyard in bilateral ODI series, the Bangladesh Tigers had also showcased a similar performance in a Test match.
It was on this very day in 2016 that the Asian side scripted history by defeating a formidable England side in the Mirpur Test.
When Bangladesh registered a famous Test win against England
England had drawn first blood in the series opener at Chittagong, winning by 22 runs and therefore, it all came down to the second and final Test match that was played at Mirpur. The home skipper Mushfiqur Rahim won an important toss and elected to bat first.
Bangladesh in their first innings posted only 220 runs on the board despite a splendid 104 from explosive opener Tamim Iqbal. Moeen Ali took a fifer with figures of 5/57. Meanwhile, the visitors in their first innings scored 24 more runs as they were all out for 244 riding on 56 from Joe Root alongside vital contributions from Chris Woakes (46) and Adil Rashid (44*). Mehidy Hasan Miraz finished with figures of 6/82.
However, it was Bangladesh’s second innings that proved to be the difference maker eventually. Vital knocks from Tamim Iqbal (40), Imrul Kayes (78), Mahmudullah Riyad (47), and, Shakib Al Hasan (41) helped Bangladesh post a mammoth total of 296 runs on the board, thereby setting the Three Lions a phenomenal target of 273 runs on an awkward Mirpur wicket.
The English batters in the fourth innings never looked comfortable and it was just a matter of time before they were blown away as the Bangladesh spinners spun a web around them despite skipper Alastair Cook (59) and Ben Duckett (56) laying a solid foundation with a 100-run opening stand.
Things looked in control for England until Alastair Cook was still out there in the middle. Nonetheless, once he was sent back to the pavilion by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, it all fell apart for the Three Lions as they were skittled out for just 164. Thus, Bangladesh registered an emphatic 108-run victory and the two-match Test series ended at 1-1.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz was adjudged the Player of the Match and the Series for his outstanding bowling contributions finishing with 12 wickets in the final Test and 19 scalps in the series.
