Bangladesh post first ever Test victory over England

Celebrations erupted at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Stadium and across the country as Bangladeshis revelled in one of the proudest moments in their sporting history. Chasing a target of 273, England seemed to be cruising when Alastair Cook and Ben Duckett guided them to 100 without loss at tea. But 19-year-old Mehedi, playing in only his second Test, triggered a dramatic collapse in the final session of the third day. 

England crumbled to 164 all out to suffer their first ever defeat by Bangladesh in 10 Tests and share the two-Test series 1-1. Bangladesh secured Test status in 2000 and the win was only their eighth in 95 Tests. Mehedi, who celebrated his 19th birthday this week, took the final wicket of Steven Finn to finish with 6-77 in the innings and 12 for 159 in the match. 

It was his country’s best-ever bowling figure in Tests, overtaking Enamul Haque Jr’s 12-200 against Zimbabwe in 2005. Shakib Al Hasan, the only other Bangladeshi apart from Mehedi and Enamul to take 10 or more wickets in Tests, joined the party with 4-49, including three wickets in an over.

England had reason to feel confident after Duckett and Cook gave them a confident start in pursuit of an achievable target, before Mehedi struck with the first ball of the final session. He bowled Duckett for 56 and then quickly removed Garry Ballance (five) and Moeen Ali (zero) before delivering a telling blow with the wicket of Cook, the only other half-century maker with 56.

With Shakib having already removed Joe Root for one in the meantime, England were desperate for Jonny Bairstow to replicate his recent fine form. But Mehedi dismissed Bairstow to complete his second five-wicket haul in the match. The England wicketkeeper-batsman departed for three to leave his side precariously poised on 6-139. Shakib then took Bangladesh to the brink of victory before Mehedi -- the man of the match and of the series — trapped Steven Finn leg before.

Bangladesh 220 & 296 bt England 244 & 164 (Cook 59, Duckett 56, Mehdi Hasan 6/77, Shakib al Hasan 4/49).