Mahmudullah takes B’desh close to serieslevelling win

DHAKA: Bangladesh reduced Zimbabwe to 76-2 Wednesday on the fourth day of the second Test.

Zimbabwe still need 367 runs or to survive a full day to win their first Test series victory since 2011 after the hosts set an improbable target of 443 runs.

Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah was instrumental in leaving Zimbabwe a record chase, hitting his second century as the hosts declared the second innings on 224-6. Mahmudullah, who completed his century in the last ball before the tea session, was not out on 101 and shared two important partnerships to take the side on the verge of winning the Test and drawing the series.

Despite a lead of 218 runs, dismissing Zimbabwe for 304 in theier first innings, Bangladesh decided not to enforce follow-on. Brief scores: Bangladesh 522-7 &

224-6 decl (M Mithun 67, Mahmudullah 101*; K Jarvis 2-27) vs Zimbabwe 304 & 76-2 (B Chari 43; M Hasan 1-16)