The dramatic first Test match between Bangladesh and England was hanging finely in the balance before the visitors struck the final blow to clinch a 22-run win in the fifth and final day at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Monday.
There were many talking points in the exciting clash but England captain Alastair Cook is of the opinion that their 45-run first innings lead set the tone for them for the rest of the Test match.
“It was a brilliant Test. I certainly didn't think after the first session that it would go to day five. It ebbed and flowed. The crucial moment was probably the beginning of day three when they were 70 or 80 behind with five wickets in hand and we managed to get a lead. That was the crucial difference,” Cook told the media following the game.
The Essex lad said he thought 280-odd was always going to be a tall order for the Tigers, who returned to the longer version after 15 months. And since the home side went agonisingly close to sealing a historic win, Cook spoke in glowing terms about the opposition.
Cook rejoices with team mates after winning
DHAKA TRIBUNE“I think at some stage we'd have loved to have the fourth spinner when it was turning but Bangladesh are used to these conditions in terms of they play spin very well and a lot of credit has to go to the way they played in that fourth innings. I did genuinely think 280 was going to be enough, I didn't think it would get as close as that and the way they played spin in particular was very impressive,” he said.
“I was fairly confident this morning if I'm brutally honest. 30 odd runs and two wickets.....I thought we'd create the chances, the doubt was whether we were good enough to take those chances. They might be half chances. But I thought we'd create enough to win the game so I was fairly relaxed,” he added.
Cook concluded by heaping praise on all-rounder Ben Stokes, who had a terrific game, picking up a total of six wickets and scoring 103 runs.
“I say it every single time we speak about him, the guy is that X-factor cricketer which every side would love to have. He balances our side, he gives us options, he allows us to play the extra seamer here or an extra spinner, which ever you look at it, and the one thing he has done over the last year is improve his method against spin,” he said.