Bangladesh's hopes rested firmly on the shoulders of Sabbir Rahman (59 not out) at the close of play on the fourth day of the first Test at Chittagong with England two wickets shy of victory. The hosts need to knock off 33 runs on the last day to head to a famous win, their first against England.
England were dismissed for 240 in the first session of the day's play to set a target of 286. For England, it was their comeback man, off-spinner Gareth Batty (3/65) who was their pick of the bowlers.
England spinners, collectively, had a much better outing than the one they had in the first innings and were instrumental in not letting the top order settle down. After snapping up the important wicket of Tamim Iqbal early, Imrul Kayes and Mominul Haque saw off any danger. Adil Rashid removed Kayes and old fox Gareth Batty trapped Haque and Mahmudullah leg-before.
When Shakib Al Hasan was dismissed – stumped for the second time in the match – the hosts were in a spot of bother. They had 146 runs to chase down and only one recognised batting pair to take them home.
Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and the debutant Rahman were patient and frustrated the English spinners. Watchfully reading for any late swing on offer, the Rahim-Rahman pair brought Bangladesh closer to the total.
England needed inspiration at that stage and it came through Batty, who returned a hour after the tea break. The 39-year-old got turn and vicious bounce that Rahim could only nervously try to fend off, and Gary Ballance, at leg slip took a safe catch.
The wicket certainly certainly rattled Bangladesh and Stuart Broad, who was darting the ball into the batsmen removed Mehdi Hasan and Kamrul Islam Rabbi. With men around the bat, Alastair Cook desperately looked to remove the tail but the fighting Rahman kept his team's hopes alive. Bad light brought a premature end to a fascinating day's play.
Brief scores:
England 293 and 240 (Ben Stokes 85; Shakib Al Hasan 5/85) lead Bangladesh 248 (Tamim Iqbal 78; Ben Stokes 4/26, Moeen Ali 3/75) & 253/8 (Sabbir Rahman 3/65, Imrul Kayes 43; Gareth Batty 3/65, Stuart Broad 2/26) by 32 runs
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