HARARE — Bangladesh closed in on a maiden Test win in Zimbabwe after reducing the host to 138-4 wickets in pursuit of 401 as bad light brought an early halt to play on day four of the second and final Test at the Harare Sports Club Sunday.



An excellent 93 from Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim helped the tourists to declare its second innings on 291-9 midway through the fourth day, setting Zimbabwe a huge victory target.



All of the home batsmen got starts in their second knock, but wickets at regular intervals put Bangladesh into a dominant position going into day five.



The previous six Tests between the pair in Zimbabwe have resulted in five wins for the home side and a draw, leaving the tourists eyeing a piece of history on the final day.



Resuming on 163-5, Mushfiqur Rahim put on 84 for the sixth wicket with Nasir Hossain (67 not out) as the pair took the game away from the hosts.

Shingi Masakadza was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers with 4-58, while his older brother Hamilton weighed in with 3-24.



Zimbabwe started its chase positively, Regis Chakabva scoring at a run a ball before he was dismissed for 22. The big wicket of Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor (10), who scored centuries in each innings in the first Test, was a huge blow for the home team’s chances and reduced it to 96-3.



Hamilton (46) and Shingi Masakadza (seven) will resume Monday with the home side needing to get another 263 runs to win, or to bat out 90 overs to save the Test and claim the series.



Zimbabwe won the first by 335 runs and is looking for its third home Test series win. Its previous two came against Bangladesh, in 2001 and 2004. — Reuters