‘I gave umpire the silent treatment for a session!’ LAWRENCE BOOTH

MOEEN ALI admitted his innings on the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh was the ‘hardest 60 I’ve ever made’ after he helped rescue England from the depths of 21 for three. England’s new No 5 was saved an unprecedented five times by reviews — three of which he called for himself in quick succession after being given out by Kumar Dharmasena, the Sri Lankan umpire who helped advise him on his off-breaks during a 2014 Lord’s net session. ‘We are normally pretty tight, but we didn’t speak for a session,’ said a smiling Moeen. ‘It was a tough pitch to umpire, but what can I say? The guy gave me out three times! ‘I knew I had hit the first one or gloved it — there was definitely something there. Joe Root (who was at the other end and advised Moeen to review) saved me on the other two. It was very tough. They were dirty runs. It was a massive mental challenge, especially with the reviews. I kept missing the ball and it hit my pad. I couldn’t figure out why. Like I did towards the end of last summer, I have a mentality that I am batting at No 3 for Worcester. I enjoy it when we are struggling and I go into bat and have a chance then to do something.’ Moeen eventually fell for 68, one of five victims for teenage off-spinner Mehedi Hasan, who conceded only four boundaries in 33 overs full of turn and bounce. ‘I am never going to forget this day,’ said Mehedi. ‘I loved all my wickets but the fifth one (Jonny Bairstow) was special. It went straight. Neither I nor the batsman understood what was happening.’