Bangladesh coach Hathurusingha praises Sabbir for staying focussed under pressure

The build-up to limited-overs specialist Sabbir Rahman's Test baptism was fraught with doubts about his ability to bat in the longer format but he has responded with a half-century on debut.

Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha is left singing praises of his disciple after his unbeaten knock kept Bangladesh hopes of sealing a memorable Test win against England alive in Chittagong on Sunday.

Sabbir is unbeaten on 59 with Taijul Islam as Bangladesh need 33 more runs to clinch victory with only two wickets in hand on the final day at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

He had begun promisingly in the first innings as well, but fell for 19 after nearly running out of partners. But Sunday's knock was special.

With most of the Tigers' toughest nuts back into the hutch, Sabbir was unfazed. He began aggressively, with two sixes and a four off England spinner Moeen Ali early in his innings.

He fashioned a crucial 87-run partnership with skipper Mushfiqur Rahim whose departure triggered a mini-collapse where Bangladesh lost three quick wickets. But as long as Sabbir is in the middle, Bangladesh fans will have hopes.

Hathurusingha played a vital role in giving Sabbir a spot in the Test squad and in the playing eleven. The Sri Lankan coach is delighted to watch him do well.

"I'm very happy with the way he [Sabbir] batted in the second innings. Even after getting hit on the head, he was out there the whole day," he said.

The youngster was once again hit on the side of his helmet like in the first innings, but he shrugged it off.

"He concentrated under intense pressure on a wicket like this. This wicket is one of the most difficult wickets I’ve watched or played cricket in," Hathurusingha added.

"But credit to the boys, not only Sabbir - Imrul [Kayes] and even Tamim [Iqbal]."

Kayes and Tamim gave Bangladesh a good start, with the former aggressive and the latter cautious. The momentum they gained helped Bangladesh keep the England bowlers at bay early.

Kayes scored a fluent 43 but Tamim fell for just 9, though Hathurusingha felt that 'nine… is like 50 runs'.

The coach appreciated the bowlers for taking 20 wickets and keeping Bangladesh in the game.

"We had a good game plan of course and we would have liked to do a bit better in the first innings. There are a few issues… But the positive thing is that we took 20 wickets and we are still in the game."

With the match still in the balance, the coach urged the batsmen to stay in the middle for as long as possible.

"Tomorrow if we bat around 10 to 15 overs, I think we will get to the target. That’s what we are trying to do. We need to get in there and spend as much time as possible in the middle," he said.

"They [England] have to come and take the wickets. We have 90 overs to bat. That’s all I can tell you."

Bangladesh have won only seven of their 93 Tests. Five of those wins came against Zimbabwe while two others were against second-string West Indies sides.