Bangla 33 away from historic win, England need 2 wickets

Chittagong, october 23 

Bangladesh battled to 253/8 at stumps on the fourth day of a thrilling Test, needing 33 for their first-ever win against England.

Hopes of an historic Test victory rested with debutant Sabbir Rahman, who was unbeaten on 59, after England set the hosts a target of 286 on a crumbling wicket.

Rahman shared an 87-run stand with skipper Mushfiqur Rahim before England regained the initiative with three quick wickets in the final session. Off-spinner Gareth Batty broke the late resistance with an awkwardly bouncing delivery that prompted skipper Rahim (39) to give a catch to Gary Ballance at short leg.

Pacer Stuart Broad then found some reverse swing to remove Mehedi Hasan (1) and Kamrul Islam (0), putting England back in charge. Batty finished the day with 3/65 while Broad claimed 2/26, but Sabbir Rahman kept Bangladesh in contention with a gritty innings that included three fours and two sixes. Stumps were drawn early due to bad light after England were told they could only use their spinners and not the pace attack in the last five overs, a condition they did not accept. England’s spinners earlier dismissed Bangladesh’s top five to leave them on 140/5, as Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid chipped in with useful wickets. — AFP

Brief scores: England 293 and 240 (Stokes 85, Bairstow 47, Shakib 5/85); Bangladesh: 248 and 253/8 (Sabbir 59*, Taijul 11*).