A brilliant unbeaten half-century from debutant Sabbir Rahman has Bangladesh dreaming of a famous Test victory over England. But the tourist needs just two wickets to win a gripping opening game of the series on Monday.
Bangladesh requires only 33 runs to claim its biggest Test win on day five after reaching 253-8 when bad light brought play to an end with all-rounder Sabbir Rahman still there on 59 in Chittagong.
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Imrul Kayes (43) and captain Mushfiqur Rahim (39) also chipped in on another absorbing day at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, where a lively crowd roared with every run which took Bangladesh closer to its target of 286.
Veteran spinner Gareth Batty (3-65) claimed key breakthroughs, while Moeen Ali (2-60) and paceman Stuart Broad (2-26) also struck to set up an intriguing climax to what has been a thrilling Test.
Sabbir was dropped by Jonny Bairstow off Broad on 34 and that could yet prove to be costly.
The tourist added only 12 runs to its overnight total of 228-8, with Broad run out going for a quick single and Batty trapped in front by Taijul Islam (2-41).
Moeen, who opened the bowling with fellow spinner Batty, ended a 35-run stand for the first wicket when Tamim Iqbal (9) was taken at short leg and Bangladesh was 81-2 late in the morning session after Adil Rashid got rid of Imrul.
The experienced Batty came to the fore after lunch, trapping Mominul Haque (27) and Mahmudullah (17) leg before in a probing spell to leave the Tigers' hopes of securing a stunning victory looking remote.
Bangladesh was 140-5 after Ali sent Shakib Al Hasan (24) on his way, but Sabbir and skipper Mushfiqur (39) flourished in testing conditions to frustrate England.
Sabbir took a positive approach, backing himself by clattering Moeen into the stands over long-on and dispatching the off-spinner over the ropes again in a counter-attack under huge pressure.
Mushfiqur was watchful at the other end and Broad cut a frustrated figure when Bairstow failed to hang on after Sabbir glanced one down the leg side.
It was a jubilant Batty who finally ended a frustrating stand of 87 when Mushfiqur was caught by a diving Gary Ballance at short-leg with a vicious delivery which turned and bounced.
It left the host six down, 59 short of its target, and relying on Sabbir to get it home and he brought up a deserved maiden Test half-century off 76 balls with a classy drive down the ground off Batty.
A fired up Broad got Mehedi Hasan lbw and had his second wicket when Kamrul Islam Rabbi bagged a pair, with Ballance clinging on for a third time close in to leave the Tigers 238-8.
Sabbir and Taijul (11 not out) stood firm under the lights to ensure a compelling Test will be decided on the final day.
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