It'll be very good if we can set a target of 300 - Mominul

Mominul Haque, the Bangladesh middle order batter, is hopeful that his team can stretch their lead close to 300, which he reckoned would be a good target. On a rain-hit third day, Bangladesh went into Stumps at 194/4, leading by 112.

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto scored a gritty half-century and was batting on 60 while Jaker Ali was not out on 21 when the stumps were drawn early due to bad light.

"It'll be very good if we can set a target of 300. 270-280 isn't bad either. But we will be in a strong position if the target is around 300," Mominul, who scored 47 runs, told reporters after the third day's play.

"We're confident because Shanto and Jaker are still playing and then the tailenders like Taijul, Hasan can also bat," he said, adding that the game is hanging in balance.

"Obviously [the game is still in the balance]. That's why the two batters who are batting and then there is Miraz, everyone will have to bat accordingly. There will be a time tomorrow morning when the batting is tough. In those crunch moments, we will have to bat carefully. We will have to bat long."

Mominul, who was involved in half-century stands with Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shanto, said a big partnership would help Bangladesh in setting Zimbabwe a hefty target.

"The partnership between me and Shanto dragged us a bit. If there's another fifty-run partnership and that can be converted into 150-odd runs, then our desired target will be possible," he said.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwean pacer Blessing Muzarabani insisted that they are still very much in the game. "We are definitely in the game. Test cricket is all about day after day. There's more time left in the game. We have the belief that we are ahead.

"Ideally, under two-hundred runs (would be a reasonable target) but we shouldn't think about the runs. We should think about taking wickets. It won't be easy getting those Bangladesh wickets. We have to show more discipline. He [Shanto] is really playing well right now. But these things happen in cricket. We are looking forward to tomorrow for a new day," he added.

Muzarabani, who removed Mahmudul and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim with two cleverly bowled bouncers, emphasised his focus on consistency and using the conditions. "That's my strength, to bowl the hard length on the body and I don't think Bangladesh struggled against the short ball. It is my No. 1 skill."