MAHMUDULLAH scored an unbeaten century as Bangladesh made strides towards victory on day four of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Dhaka.

Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah (101 not out) got his first Test hundred since February 2010, as the hosts set a target of 443 by declaring on 224-6, and they made in-roads as Zimbabwe lost two wickets before stumps.

Zimbabwe’s outlook would have been optimistic earlier yesterday, with Kyle Jarvis (2-27) claiming the wickets of Imrul Kayes (3) and Liton Das (6) in the space of three balls before Donald Tiripano (2-31) dismissed Mominul Haque (1) and Mushfiqur Rahim (7) to leave Bangladesh in trouble on 25-4.

However, Mahmudullah and Mohammad Mithun (67) stopped the rot with a fifth-wicket stand of 118.

The skipper found the ropes four times and added a pair of maximums to anchor the hosts’ innings, with Mehidy Hasan (27 off 34) proving a capable deputy after Ariful Haque went for five.

Zimbabwe’s hopes of claiming a second victory had already taken a hit, and they suffered a further setback with opening duo Hamilton Masakadza (25) and Brian Chari (43) falling in the final session.

The visitors closed on 76-2, trailing by 367, and will have to produce a stunning effort on day five if they are to even hold out for a draw.

BANGLADESH first innings 552-7 declared; Zimbabwe first innings 304.

BANGLADESH 2nd innings
Liton Das b Kyle Jarvis 6
Imrul Kayes c Brandon Mavuta b Kyle Jarvis 3
Mominul Haque c Regis Chakabva b Donald Tiripano 1
Mohammad Mithun c Regis Chakabva b Sikandar Raza 67
Mushfiqur Rahim c Brandon Mavuta b Donald Tiripano 7
Mahmudullah not out 101
Ariful Haque b Sean Williams 5
Mehedi Hasan not out 27
Extras: (b-5, lb-1, w-1) 7
Total: (54.0 overs, decl.) 224
Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-10, 3-10, 4-25, 5-143, 6-151.
Bowling: Kyle Jarvis 11-2-27-2, Donald Tiripano 11-1-31-2, Sean Williams 16-2-69-1 (w-1), Sikandar Raza 7-0-39-1, Brandon Mavuta 9-0-52-0.
ZIMBABWE 2nd innings
Hamilton Masakadza c Mominul Haque b Mehedi Hasan 25
Brian Chari lbw Taijul Islam 43
Brendan Taylor not out 4
Sean Williams not out 2
Extras: (b-1, lb-1) 2
Total: (two wkts, 30.0 overs) 76
Fall of wickets: 1-68, 2-70.
Bowling: Mustafizur Rahman 3-1-2-0, Taijul Islam 13-2-34-1,2, Khaled Ahmed 4-1-15-0, Mehedi Hasan 7-2-16-1, Ariful Haque 3-1-7-0.