Siddique, Rahim hold off England's victory bid

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CHITTAGONG, Mar 15 (BSS): Zunaed Siddique and Mushfiqur Rahim kept the frustrated English fielders on the field with a gutsy partnership to delay the inevitable defeat looming as Tigers were set on to an improbable target of 513 on the fourth day of Beximco first Test at Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Monday.
Both Zunaed and Rahim were in supreme touch despite wicket taking some vicious turn and bounce but the Bangladeshi pair denied the England with any wicket as they put on priceless undefeated 81-run partnership for the sixth wicket stand to stretch the match into the fifth day, with ending the day 191 for five. Zunaed and Rahim were batting on 68 and 47 runs respectively defying the tourist bowlers.
Earlier in the day, England added 78 runs to their overnight total of 131 for five in the morning session before declaring on 213 for seven, with a daunting lead of 513, meant Bangladesh still needs 322 runs on the final day.
Opener Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes almost gave hope for English men as both departed before lunch and it looked the visitors would have enough time to complete the formalities. Though three batsmen, Aftab Ahmed, Mahmudullah Riyad and Shakib who were unlucky to be given out suggested Tigers were not in mood to hand on as these wickets fell between lunch and tea session. However credit should go to Mushfiqur Rahim and Zunaed Siddique who showed an admirable bravery to hang on to resolve in an extra ordinary partnership.
Tamim Iqbal for the second time in the Test, succumbed to a masterly piece of bowling - - this time Graeme Swann's gem of a delivery took his outside edge to clip his off-stump on 14.
Mushfiqur Rahim notched his back to back half century in this Test and went past 1000 runs mark in his Test career while Zunaed brought up his sixth Test fifty with utmost patience.
Swann and Bresnan ended the day with two wickets each while Finn bagged the other wicket.
England 1st innings:
Total: (6 wickets dec; 138.3 overs) 599
Bangladesh 1st innings:
Total: (all out; 90.3 overs) 296
England 2nd innings:
Total: (7 wickets dec; 49.3 overs) 209
Bangladesh 2nd innings:
Tamim Iqbal b Swann 14
Imrul Kayes c Prior b Finn 23
Junaid Siddique not out 68
Aftab Ahmed c Prior b Bresnan 26
Mahmudullah b Bresnan 5
Shakib Al Hasan lbw b Swann 4
Mushfiqur Rahim not out 47
Extras: (b 2, lb 2) 4 Total: (5 wickets; 75 overs) 191