Force is with Bangladeshi teenage whiz- kid spinner

One of the promotional videos for last year’s under- 19s cricket World Cup has an ambitious Mehedi Hasan, 18, laying out his career goals with a Star Wars- style theme tune blaring out in the background.

His aims are truly stellar. “I will lead Bangladesh from the front, it is a big dream of mine. My plan is to play for Bangladesh for 15 years. I want to be the top all- rounder in the world ranking,” he says.

Well, he took a step to the top of those world rankings on his very first day of test cricket against England in Chittagong yesterday. By the close he had become the second youngest spinner to take five wickets on his debut, and only the third spinner in history to pick up a five- for on his first day in test cricket.

England scrapped their way to 258 for seven with half centuries from two of their all- rounders, Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali, giving them a total of sorts to work with after Bangladesh let loose Mehedi.

What was remarkable about Mehedi’s display was that he barely bowled a bad ball all day. He varied his flight, spun the ball hard and had the presence of a bowler in his 50th test.

“I am never going to forget this day,” he said. “From my second or third over, I realised that I will be successful if I bowl stump to stump. I didn’t think I’d get five wickets. I just wanted to do something for the team and settle in at this level.”

So far this test has only seen one half of Mehedi’s game. He averages 40 in first- class cricket with the bat, and struck three 50s in the World Cup last year.