Bangladesh battling to save Test

Bangladesh are facing defeat in the first Test against New Zealand after finishing the fourth day on 90 for four, following on 160 runs behind the home side's 365 for nine declared on Friday.

At the crease are Al-Sahariar on 53 and Sanwar on seven who still have 70 runs to make New Zealand to bat again.

In their second innings after being bowled out for 205, Bangladesh had a steady start and got to 39 before losing three wickets for three runs, with Chris Cairns finding some of his old rhythm and snaring the dangerous Habibal Bashar and Aminul Islam for one and nought respectively.

Batting stoically at the other end was the talented Al-Sahariar, who hit his second Test half-century, but is lucky to be there after being dropped by Mathew Sinclair in the slips and then surviving a stumping chance when wicketkeeper Adam Parore fumbled - both when he was on 39.

Earlier, a late fightback by all-rounder Khaled Mahmud failed to beat the follow-on mark of 216. Mahmud's hard-hitting knock of 45 off 42 balls ended when he lofted to Mark Richardson at long-off.

Mail Cricket Editor