Bangladesh claim England got lucky

Shakib Al Hasan believes Bangladesh might have been eyeing up an historic maiden Test victory over England if the referral system was in place for the current series.

Bangladesh have just three Test wins in their history, and they came against fellow minnows Zimbabwe and a West Indies side decimated by contractual disputes.

But Shakib claims their duck against the major nations would be on the verge of being broken had the Bangladesh Cricket Board invested the necessary money in implementing the Umpire Decision Review System.

Any bilateral series can now utilise the UDRS, with the home board and home broadcaster liable for the cost and implementation of the technology.

The option was not taken up by the BCB, but if it had been the Tigers skipper is certain England's position of 21 runs ahead with two first-innings wickets in hand on day three would be different.

Matt Prior survived a solid-looking lbw appeal at the start of an innings which was eventually worth 62, Tim Bresnan made 74 not out after an early bat-pad catch was turned down, and centurion Ian Bell also emerged unscathed from a confident leg before shout.

"You have seen the TV. You have seen what the decisions were and what the decisions should have been," said all-rounder Shakib.

"I think we would have asked for a referral four times with full of confidence. Three of them would have come to our way, 100%.

"It's really bad for us that we did not use the referral system when we could have."

Shakib was asked if the investment would have been worth it, especially in the context of the lavish floral tributes welcoming visiting ICC president David Morgan to the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

He said: "Maybe, yes, because Matt Prior got runs and he would have been out below 10. Bresnan would have been out for under five and Bell was out on around 80.

"They would have been maybe 150 runs short and we would have been in a very good position.

"If they (the board) had taken the referral system they would have had to spend some money. There is a system and it is expensive.

"But yes, I think it is more important for us (than the flowers)."

Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons was seen visibly remonstrating with some of the not out verdicts on the sidelines and was observed entering the match referee's room.

He went on to explain the reasons behind his dissatisfaction.

"There were probably three or four decisions I was unhappy with," the Australian coach told Sky Sports.

"Hindsight makes it easy for me to be critical but that's the game and umpires do make mistakes. It made it hard for us today."

Asked whether he agreed that smaller teams struggle to get positive decisions, Siddons continued: "I've felt that my whole career.

"I definitely never felt Australia were on the wrong end but, with Bangladesh, I definitely think it comes out against us. I don't know why."

The rumpus rather overshadowed a fine knock of 138 from Bell, his 10th Test century.

But after Jonathan Trott fell in the third over of the day without adding to his overnight 64 it was a crucial innings that saw the tourists to 440 for eight at stumps.

Bell conceded that England had enjoyed the rub of the green but believes that the reverse has been true plenty of times in the past.

"We did have a few decisions go our way but that's cricket," he said.

"I'm sure over the last six months we've had quite a few against us. Umpires have a split second to make their decision - some they get right, some they get wrong.

"It was unlucky for Bangladesh but we capitalised on that, and hopefully it'll be our day again tomorrow."