Test still in balance - Whatmore

Mohammad Rafique took two wickets in the final session

Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore insisted he was proud of his team no matter what the final outcome of the first Test against Australia at Fatullah.

Australia need 95 runs for victory on the final day, while Bangladesh must take six wickets to win the game.

"We need to get wickets as early as possible, but it's pretty evenly poised," said Whatmore.

"The only disappointing factor for me was the wicket, on the fourth day, still behaved too nicely."

Australia were in a comfortable position on 173-1, but the home side fought back to reduce them to 212-4 at close of play.

"I was very pleased and proud of the way the boys hung in there and got a little bit of reward at the end - that was a very pleasing aspect," Whatmore said.

Looking ahead to the prospects for the final day, he added: "We've got six overs before the new ball is due - I had a look at the ball and it's pretty old and there's not much left on the seam.

"I'd be surprised if we didn't take it fairly soon when it's due, depending whether we get a wicket in that first six overs. It's one wicket at a time for us."

Australia gave their chances a major lift by dismissing Bangladesh for just 148 during the morning session.

And pace bowler Jason Gillespie said he believed they had enough batting left to finish the game off.

"The cracks still haven't opened up as much as we would have thought - the wicket's held together pretty well.

"The ball has been keeping it a bit low but that's about it, it hasn't really deteriorated as such," he said.

"It's a pretty good contest, we need just under 100 runs and we've got six wickets in the shed. Hopefully we'll bat well enough and can get over the line."

Gillespie praised Bangladesh's performance in the match, their first Test on home soil against Australia.

"We've had to adapt to their play - and they've played very well. Full credit to them," he added.