DHAKA, 26 October 2003 — Captain Michael Vaughan hit an unbeaten half-century as England scored an easy seven-wicket victory in their first-ever Test against Bangladesh here yesterday.
As England chased a target of 164, Vaughan struck 12 boundaries to score 81 and seal the match just 80 minutes after lunch on the fifth and final day at Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Bangladesh, who were 245-6 overnight, were all out for 255 in the morning after conceding a 92-run lead in the first innings. Yesterday’s knock gives Vaughan his sixth fifty in 36 Tests — not including nine centuries.
Executing some fine on-drives against the spinners, Vaughan added 64 for the opening stand with Marcus Trescothick (27), who was stumped by Khaled Mashud off left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique. Mark Butcher (8) fell leg before wicket to the same bowler a little later and Nasser Hussain (17) was also trapped leg before by Mashrafe Mortaza just as he seemed to settle in the middle. Vaughan, who scored 48 in the first innings, saw the team through in the company of left-hander Graham Thorpe (18).
Earlier, Bangladesh failed to keep up the good work of the fourth day and lost their last four wickets for 10 runs.
Pacemen Stephen Harmison and Matthew Hoggard shared the spoils to finish with four wickets each in the innings. Harmison, who took five wickets in the first innings, was named man of the match for the first time in a Test for his match haul of nine wickets. Vaughan was satisfied with his own form as well as that of his bowlers, especially Harmison.
