England and Bangladesh set for thrilling final day of first Test with both sides in touching distance of victory
England fast-bowler Stuart Broad is bracing himself for a heart-stopping finale to the first Test with Bangladesh on Monday following a fourth day of drama in Chittagong.
Bangladesh need just 33 more runs on the final morning to record their first ever victory over England – and only their eighth Test triumph of all time – after a sixth-wicket stand of 87 between captain Mushfiqur Rahim (39) and debutant Sabbir Rahman (59 not out) nudged them towards a target of 286.
But a brace of late wickets from Broad (2-26) swung momentum back in England’s favour and left the tourists needing only two more scalps to snatch a hard-fought win.
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“It has been an exciting Test match throughout and tomorrow is going to be a nerve-wracking day,” said Broad.
“It is a fine balance, trying to take wickets but not concede easy runs. Bangladesh have played really well today. I think they batted fantastically well to get up to the score they have.
“The key is to stop boundaries. The boundaries take your runs away so quickly. If we can make them operate in ones this pitch is still doing enough for us to take wickets.
“Our mentality will be to be as disciplined as we can and not give any free boundaries away. I think we’ll look to keep it dry and have a quiet first hour, make their batsmen make mistakes and take our catches.
“It has been tense. It’s Test match cricket and it never ceases to amaze me.”
England all out for 240
England added just 12 more runs for their last two wickets as Bangladesh dismissed them for 240. It left the Tigers needing their highest ever fourth-innings run chase for a historic victory.
Imrul Kayes gave them early momentum with a brisk 43 off 61 balls but was caught by Joe Root at slip off Adil Rashid before veteran Gareth Batty struck twice on his way to figures of 3-65.
Bangladesh looked precarious at 140-5 but Mushfiqur and Sabbir – fined for over-celebrating Jos Buttler’s wicket in the feisty preceding one-day series – forged a vital partnership until Batty snared the skipper, Gary Ballance catching at short leg.
Broad’s double then had the hosts on the ropes when the umpires took the unexpected decision to end play 12 minutes earlier than on day four due to bad light.