Captain Habi-bul Bashar was optimistically looking at secu-ring a draw on the final day of the second and final Test to give Bangladesh a maiden series victory. "If you consider the last three days and even the first session of the fourth day, I must say we are now in a good position.

It was fantastic in the end that we have achieved more than what we wanted," said a delighted Bashar during the post-day briefing at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Chasing a stiff winning target of 374, openers Nafees Iqbal (55) and Javed Omar (36) led the Tigers' brilliant fightback batting for almost two sessions in a record 98-run opening stand.
But Bashar believed it was too early to think about winning the match.
"Definitely, it will be something special if we can complete a series whitewash but realistically speaking we'll be just as happy with a draw after struggling for the last three days. But cricket is a funny game and who knows another piece of history could made tomorrow," remarked the country's top batsman with a wry smile.

"We should begin the fifth day without being overly confident. I believe the boys have learned their lessons from the first innings on how important each and every session is in a five-day contest. It only takes one to change the outcome on the last day of a Test match," he added.

The 32-year-old Bangladesh skipper, however, issued a word of caution to his boys that it would not be easy to bat on the fifth day.

"Although I think the pitch is still good but it is always difficult to bat on the fifth day. We will plan our chase after assessing what happens in the first session.
Definitely, it is crucial that the openers occupy the crease for as long as they can in the morning and hopefully at least one of them goes on and makes a big hundred," he said.

Bashar also took the opportunity to praise his Zimbabwe counterpart Tatenda Taibu, who led his side by example with a maiden Test hundred.

"He was simply outstanding and almost single-handedly made the situation difficult for us. While it was tricky to play strokes this track but Taibu made it look so easy once he got used to conditions."
The 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman hit the first century of the series with a magnificent 153 off 292 balls.

Bashar's only regret was that his two potent weapons left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique and fast bowler Mashrafee-Bin-Mortuza were fighting to be fit.

"Rafique is still struggling but the news for Mashrafee is a little better. Our team physio told us that he will recover soon. But one thing is for sure both will able to bat if required," he informed.

While Bashar was understandably upbeat, the mood in the opposition camp was downcast.

"It was a very frustrating day for us. Hopefully, we can swing the momentum in our favour tomorrow morning if a only couple of wickets fall early," said Dion Ebrahim, vice-captain of the Zimbabwe side.

The most experienced player in the side believed that one dropped catch helped the home side to finish strongly.

"Missing one chance might prove the difference. But I won't take anything away from the two openers (Nafees and Javed) who showed real patience," he added.

ANOTHER FIVE-STAR PERFORMANCE: Spinner Enamul Haque, who again grabbed five wickets to add to his first innings' seven, celebrates after Aftab Ahmed (on the ground) took the catch to dismiss Douglas Hondo yesterday. PHOTO: STAR