However, an error in judgement when padding up to spinner Moeen resulted in his dismissal, sending the Tigers into a downward spiral that saw them lose their final nine wickets for just 49 runs.
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In the second session, however, things went haywire for the hosts as Moeen and Ben Stokes shared five wickets between them to script a remarkable comeback for England.
But, Ali’s involvement in the day’s work was not finished yet as he took the pitch to see out the remaining overs of the day, this time as a batsman.
“It would be a great confidence booster, but at the same time look how close the last game was”, said Bairstow.
“I just try and bowl my next ball as best as I can”.
“I don’t have that much success as a spinner, but the pace I bowl helps me get wickets in Test cricket”. Then Stokesy reversed it beautifully. He was the main guy, really. But yes in general everyone tends to get a little puzzled when one or two wickets fall.
But the rapid succession of wickets in the afternoon session pointed to Bangladesh’s continued frailty in high-pressure situations, severely damaging their hopes of squaring the two-match series.
Moeen made the breakthrough when Tamim offered no stroke to one that hit him outside the line but would have gone on to clip off-stump, vindicating the out decision.
“Stokesy and myself built the pressure on them by bowling a few maidens and we got our rewards”.
England had won the toss and elected to bat first, but their top order let them down badly in both innings, with only a strong effort from the middle order – Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow – keeping them in the match.
But they could just add 10 runs to their overnight 253-8 before Stokes’ two-wicket burst ended their innings at 263. That’s why it’s Test cricket.
“I don’t think there will be any shakiness since we played such a competitive game”, said Tamim.
“It’s 50-50 at the minute”.
“But we knew once we got a couple of wickets, we could roll them out”. “The wicket is mostly prepared but if the sun was out today, it would have dried up further”, he said. He was well supported by Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes, who got some reverse swing going in the latter stages of the Bangladesh innings. With thoughts already turning to the tour against India, England could also be tempted to hand a debut to Zafar Ansari, the left-arm spinner.
The beneficiary on this occasion is the highly-rated Surrey all-rounder Zafar Ansari, who is make his debut in the unfamiliar surroundings of Mirpur.
Bangladesh picked all-rounder Shuvagata Hom ahead of Shafiul Islam in their only change.
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With Moeen’s batting vital to the team, the veteran Gareth Batty is the most likely to miss out if England opt for Ansari given the 39-year-old’s lack of potency in Chittagong on his recall after an 11-year absence.
