Shafiul Islam summoned all the words of English he could manage to describe his elation yesterday after bowling Bangladesh to their first victory over England. "Great!" the medium-pacer shouted at his inquisitor from Sky Sports, Nasser Hussain, before Tamim Iqbal, his teammate and temporary translator, could even put the question to him in Bangla.
Shafiul had just dismissed Jonathan Trott to force a five-run victory for Bangladesh, their first in 247 days and a first in 21 one-day internationals against England. Bangladesh's cricketers obviously feel at home in the west of the UK. Back in 2005, they earned their finest result to date by beating Australia in Cardiff, during a tri-series that also involved England. Five years on and just across the Severn Bridge in Bristol, they gained the only scalp they had been missing in the 10 years they have been playing serious international cricket as they finally beat England.
The subcontinental side, who are still considered the minnows of the game a decade on from being accepted to the Test arena, built this victory on the back of a solid effort from their opener, Imrul Kayes, who made 76. Defeat was not the only bad news for England. Ian Bell broke a metatarsal in his left foot after an innocuous dive early while fielding in the Bangladesh innings. The injury could have a knock-on effect in Test cricket for England. Their selectors are keen to have an extended look at Eoin Morgan, who has been a revelation in the one-day format since he swapped allegiances from Ireland, in the longer game.
Morgan made his debut in the two-Test series against Bangladesh earlier this summer. His performances were less spectacular than he has achieved in the shorter forms, and he would likely have made way for the return of Paul Collingwood, who was rested for the early summer Tests. However, Bell's injury means there could now be a vacancy in the middle order when England play Pakistan in their forthcoming series.
Should Morgan find form, he could make it into the side for the winter Ashes tour to Australia. Morgan acted as a runner for Bell, who emerged to bat as the last man for England with a cast covering his foot, yet his bravery eventually counted for nought as defeat was sealed in the final over. * Compiled by Paul Radley, with agencies