Bowlers on top as Bangladesh need another 97 to win

Bangladesh face a nervous last day, needing another 97 runs to beat the Northern Territory Chief Minister's XI, with six wickets in hand. After dismissing the NTCM XI for just 136 in their second innings, Bangladesh struggled on a difficult pitch, losing three of their four wickets to lbw decisions.

Adrian McAdam got both his wickets to leg-before verdicts, including Javed Omar, who made a patient 44. McAdam also caused more problems by picking up Mohammad Ashraful for 11. McAdam has 2 for 10 from his seven overs, four of his runs having come from wides.

Earlier in the day, the Bangladesh bowlers made good use of the helpful conditions to dismiss the NTCM XI for 136 in their second innings. Given that the NTCM XI's 189 in the first innings is the highest total of the match so far, Bangladesh have a daunting task ahead of them.

There was frustration for the home side when Nathan Hauritz badly bruised the ring finger of his right hand during some determined bowling from the Bangladesh side. He was finally dismissed for 13.

Ken Vowles and Ashley Williams played the key hand for the home side, continuing their fourth-wicket stand which started yesterday when the Chief Minister's XI were 5 for 3. They made it through to stumps at 32 for 3 and then carried on today to reach 63 before both departed at the same score. Vowles was bowled by Khaled Mahmud for 34 while Williams was also bowled, by Tapash Baisya, for 24.

Anthony Dent hit out in a 42-run stand for the eighth wicket and ended unbeaten on 22. Darren Treumer gave him good support, scoring 17 before he being trapped in front by Mohammad Rafique.

The end came very quickly for the Northern Territory side as their last three wickets fell for only one run. Baisya was the most successful of the Bangladesh bowlers, taking 3 for 19 from 10.4 overs, while Mohammad Ashraful's legspin gave him figures of 2 for 21 off six overs.

Dent followed up his good work with the bat by dismissing Hannan Sarkar for 12, the first of the Bangladesh wickets to fall. Khaled Mashud and Al-Sahariar have a huge task ahead of them when play resumes tomorrow.