Bangladesh may face nearly an impossible chase to save the second and last Test against Pakistan, but ace Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan is refusing to relent.
The hosts face a daunting target of 550 to win the last match of the month-long tour with nine wickets in hand and two days to go.
The highest successful fourth innings chase is 418, by West Indies against Australia in Antigua in 2003.
Bangladesh were 63 for one in their world-record hunt at stumps at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Friday.
They still need a colossal 487 more to win this.
“Lots of runs, along with lots of time. Both are testing. The wicket is not like Khulna’s either. (Mirpur) wicket is changing as well – the ball is bobbing,” said Shakib in a press conference after the close of play.
Bangladesh staged a dramatic second innings fightback in the Khulna Test.
Trailing Pakistan’s huge first innings lead of 296, the hosts racked up 555 for six to earn their first draw against their subcontinental rivals.
A feisty maiden double century from Tamim Iqbal was complemented by a superb Imrul Kayes ton to cap a historic match at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium.
Shakib draws inspiration from it.
“We can draw inspiration from our last match. If something like that happens, who knows…
“Especially (if) the first three or four batsman get a partnership of 200 or 150, it think, it is possible to boost confidence.”
Shakib, however, said defeat in the Mirpur Test will be the more likely outcome for the Tigers as no team has ever chased down such a target before.
Shakib scored an unbeaten 89 off 91 balls in the first innings.
“Everyone will try to do their best… we have batted according to plan in the second innings. We’ve let the time pass very well.”
Shakib thinks if Bangladesh had lost three or four wickets in the final session, the match would have been virtually over.
Losing just one wicket has given him hope.
“Tamim is set at the wicket, Mominul (Haque) has started well. The first hour tomorrow is very crucial for us.
“If we make it through without losing a wicket, we can definitely hope for something good.”
Source: Bd news24