Bangladesh set up thrilling finale against England in Chittagong
Monday 24 October 2016 05:13, UK
Bangladesh's bold stroke-play means the first Test against England in Chittagong will go down to the wire, says Rob Key.
The home side are just 33 runs away from an historic first victory over England in this format, but have just two wickets in the bank after closing on 253-8.
Debutant Sabbir Rahman (59 not out) kept the hosts' hopes alive as Bangladesh go in search of their eighth win in this format after two wins over West Indies and five over Zimbabwe.
"I thought England were going to rip through this side because you can't believe how dusty this surface is until you are right there looking at it," said Key.
"It has been a brilliant wicket and has played very well. England were poor with the new ball - the spinners didn't get it right but as poor as England were, Bangladesh were just brilliant.
"They counter-punched and went at our spinners and they've taken this England team right to the wire.
"You just get the feeling that Alastair Cook doesn't back his spinners enough; I'm amazed the seamers have bowled at all on this surface!"
Bad light brought play to a premature end - Cook effectively ending the day when he opted to continue with his seamers despite being told by the umpires that stumps would be called if he did so.
Key told Sky Sports it was an anti-climactic end to an absorbing day.
"The atmosphere here has been unbelievable; more and more people came in, as they have done nearly every single evening," he reflected.
"So it is such a shame that we haven't got a conclusion to this game today. The brightest part of Chittagong - and probably Bangladesh - right at the minute is out in the middle.
"But because the artificial light has now taken over the umpires take the players off, under the laws of the game.
"I don't blame Alastair Cook for going to his seamers and effectively saying 'we'll come back tomorrow' because the batsmen were starting to have a go at the spinners.
"But what a shame for cricket that we haven't had a conclusion to this game tonight.
"At a time when day-night cricket is coming into the game we need to take a look at just how bad it is out in the middle facing the ball when the lights are on.
"I probably wouldn't fear for my safety facing a seamer like Stuart Broad in these conditions because it's a slow pitch.
"But take that out of it. Twilight is often the hardest time to bat in day-night cricket even with the white ball against a black background.
"I've always felt you can pick up the ball pretty well - it's just not what you are used to. That's the problem - it changes very quickly.
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"Maybe when we get to a time when day-night cricket is more the norm players will feel a bit more comfortable playing under lights.
"I often felt as a player a little bit precious walking off in bad light and thinking 'it wasn't actually that bad; it was just good to come off and put my feet up'.
"We have to look at the laws because even here in Chittagong the lights are very good."
Watch day five of the first Test between Bangladesh and England on Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports Mix from 4.45am on Monday.
