Bangladesh needed seven wickets on Day 5 to win the Test match against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club.
Bangladesh resumed Day 4 on 45/0. They had a lead of 237, with Shadman Islam and Saif Hassan in middle. Hassan (43) fell to Richard Ngarava (1-36) after helping Shadman add 88 for the opening wicket. The highest partnership of the contest came just after that.
Keeping the times remaining in the match in mind, Najmul Hossain Shanto played aggressively in his unbeaten 196-run stand with Shadman. They declared on 284/1 forty minutes before tea. Shanto remained not out on 117 runs in 118 balls, while Islam took 196 balls to score 115.
Coming to an improbable target of 477, Zimbabwe lost Milton Shumba (11) early, to Taskin Ahmed (1-39). Takudzwanashe Kaitano (7 in 102 balls) and Brendan Taylor (92 in 73) then added 95 runs in contrasting styles. The partnership ended when Taylor hit one back to Mehidy Hasan Miraz (1-45). Shakib Al Hasan (1-23) then trapped Katiano leg before.
Zimbabwe finished on 140/3. They still require 337 on the final day to win the contest.
Unless they pull off something spectacular on Day 5, Zimbabwe are unlikely to win, or even save, this one. Regis Chakabva is the only batter left. Zimbabwe will hope Donald Tiripano (7*) and Dion Myers (18*), who will resume on the final day, survive as long as they can in the morning session.