Bangladesh closed in on a rare Test win despite some counter-punch from Zimbabwe in the second innings as they clamed four crucial wickets on the tricky
fourth day of the second Test in Harare on Sunday.
Set an improbable target of 401 runs, the home side reached 138-4 at close on the day with still needing 263 runs if they are to upset the history and the formbook. Hamilton Masakadza was batting on 46 with his nightwatchman younger brother Singhi Masakadza on seven not out when bad light stopped play.
Only four teams have successfully chased down a target of over 400 runs in Test history which means Zimbabwe, who are already without their in-form captain Brendan Taylor, need a miracle to deny Bangladesh their fourth Test victory and first on the Zimbabwean soil.
Sakib al Hasan began the victory charge for the Tigers, who are 0-1 down in the series and are in a must-win situation to restore their pride and equal the series after a 335-run thrashing at the same ground in the first Test.
Sakib had opener Regis Chakbva bowled for 22 runs in his third over before an attack-minded Vusi Sibanda also became his victim with his spin partner Sohag Gazi taking the catch at short extra-cover.
Gazi had earlier a strong catch appeal denied against Sibanda, who made 32 off 50 balls.
Bangladesh’s biggest breakthrough, however, came through Ziaur Rahman whose inclusion in the side was only justified when he trapped Zimbabwe captain Taylor plumb in front with a perfect in-swinger.
Taylor, Bangladesh’s tormentor-in-chief in the first Test could make only 10 runs.
Zia repaid the faith of his skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, who used him in a long spell, as the medium pacer bowled Malcom Waller (15) by uprooting his off-stump with a terrific delivery that angled in from wide outside the off-stump.
Earlier, Bangladesh, resuming the day at 163-5, declared their second innings on 291-9, only sixth time they have done so in their history, with an exactly 400-run lead courtesy of skipper Mushfiq and Nasir Hossain.
Mushfiq, 50 not out overnight, looked on course for his third Test century but fell seven runs short having been the victim of a blinder of Sibanda, who atoned for his several dropped catches in the match by flying high at gully to take a stunning catch.
Though Mushfiq missed out on a well-deserved century, his 93 from 153 balls provided Bangladesh the kind of platform they needed to set a challenging target for the home side.
His 84-run sixth-wicket stand with Nasir effectively killed any hopes Zimbabwe had to rein in Bangladesh, who boasted a 109-run lead on the first innings.
Nasir, unusually shaky at the start of his innings, grew in confidence as the time went by and reached his second consecutive half-century in the match with a spectacular six off Graem Creamer.
He remained unbeaten on 67 having faced 153 balls when the declaration came with Robiul Islam unbeaten on four.
BRIEF SCORES
Stumps, Day 4
Zimbabwe 282 & 138-4 in 43.4 overs (H Masakadza 46 not out, V Sibanda 32, R Chakabva 22, M Waller 15; Z Rahman 2-36, Sakib al Hasan 2-45) v Bangladesh 391 & 291-9 dec in 88 overs (M Rahim 93, N Hossain 67 not out, Sakib al Hasan 59, M Haque 29; S Masakadza 4-58, H Masakadza 3-24)
-With New Age input
