Stokes wraps up dramatic Test win

Ben Stokes had the decisive say in the early overs of day five in the first Test in Chittagong, jagging two wickets in three balls to give England a 22-run win and a 1-0 lead in their two-match series against Bangladesh. 

Debutant Sabbir Rahman finished not out 64, and could only watch as two decisions were reviewed - the first by England, the second by Bangladesh - and both fell in the tourists' favour to inflict the closest runs defeat in the hosts' brief Test history.

Stokes struck with the first ball of the fourth over of the day, coming around the wicket to the left-handed Taijul Islam (16) who shuffled a long way across his stumps and was struck on the pad as he attempted to flick the ball away on the leg side. 

England appealed vociferously and then reviewed once the not out decision was given. The third umpire overturned the standing umpire's call to leave England needing one wicket for victory. 

It didn't take long. 

Two balls later, Stokes, over the wicket this time, pitched one outside off stump on a good length and the ball clattered into the pad of No.11 Shafiul Islam, who either wasn't offering a shot of was extremely late in attempting to jam his bat down on the ball. 

The umpire determined he had indeed not offered a shot, removing the need for him to be struck in line, and despite a Bangladeshi referral, their fate was sealed when tracking technology showed the ball's connection with the stumps to be 'umpire's call'. 

Man of the match Stokes finished the Test with six wickets and a match-defining 85. 

"It was a really good Test match, to think we were here on day five with that wicket," England captain Alastair Cook said after the game.

"It was such a tight game, so credit to both sides. I'm glad we held our nerve, the quality we have in our attack, we got it reversing."

Despite coming agonisingly close to what would have been their most famous Test victory, Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim said he was proud of his team's performance.

"Probably it was not in our favour, 33 runs and two wickets, but the boys put in so much effort over the last five day. After 15 months, I'm really proud," Rahim said.

"Our boys fought it out which is really impressive and hopefully we'll do the same in the next match."

The match was Bangladesh's first Test in nearly in 15 months but showcased how the one-time whipping boys of international cricket have made steady progress in recent years.

The hosts played some impressive cricket during the match, with the debutant Mehedi Hasan taking 6-80 in England's first innings.

Bangladesh had appeared on course for a comfortable first-innings lead but lost their last six wickets for just 27 runs to give England a crucial 45-run lead.

They then had England reeling at 5-62 in the tourists' second innings before Stokes and Jonny Bairstow turned the match with a partnership of 127 for the sixth wicket.

The second and final Test will start in Dhaka on October 28 before England then head to India for a five-Test tour.