Only once did they go to sleep on the fourth day thinking they can win the next day only for Inzamam-ul Haq to spoil the brewing party on that fateful morning in Multan in August 2003. But nothing can be compared to the emotions that will go through their minds on Monday when the Tigers will try to give the finishing touches to the hopes of an entire nation and they will realistically believe it is possible.

The thrill and excitement in anticipation of a first ever Test victory has gripped the Bangladeshi cricketers and there was a certain buzz about them as they left the MA Aziz Stadium yesterday.

However, captain Habibul Bashar was not ready to take anything for granted and knows there is a very hard day's work left.

"We have never been in such a situation before. It is stressful because I had to take a lot of decisions in this Test match for the first time like when to declare, how long to bat, how long we will need to get them out," Bashar said.

"I also had to think at one stage about whether we were going to force the follow-on if we had bowled them out before that target. These are all new things for me. But I have to admit that I am enjoying this situation. I have enjoyed every ball of this match. We have been waiting for a final day like this," he added.

When asked whether waiting for another night would be difficult, Bashar said that they had a little time to prepare for something like this but he was not jumping into conclusions.

"After seeing their first innings batting, we know now that they are a good side. We can not relax against them.

"Taking seven wickets from 90 odd overs would not be easy. The wicket has slowed down in four days but there is not as much turn as we had expected from it. Still we are hoping to get some turn and if it behaves like a typical fifth day wicket, we can get what we are waiting for. But I have told my teammates to prepare for hard work because Zimbabwe have a number of good batsmen like Masakadza who is playing well and Taylor who had looked very compact to me. Players like Taibu and Chigumbura also have the capability to bat long," said Bangladesh's premier batsman.

"We planned to give them 20 overs today but we had to declare earlier than that. At tea, we did not have enough runs on board," he said replying to a question whether the declaration had come late.

With key bowler Mohammad Rafique nursing a hamstring injury, Bashar has some worries but he said that even if the champion performer gave his 80 percent, that would be welcome.

"I am still confident but we all know that the first Test victory will not come easy. We have to work for it. So far, things have gone in our favour. I hope for a better tomorrow."

Bashar said he was happy to remove three rival batsmen by close of play. "We wanted to take at least two wickets, so I am satisfied. It will give us a psychological edge."

Bashar's Zimbabwe counterpart Tatenda Taibu as ever remained positive and was still believing his side can chase the kind of target they have never managed to topple in the past.

"Tomorrow is a very important day for us. We have to again occupy the crease and we only need two hundreds and we will be close to winning the game," said Taibu.

"If we can apply ourselves, we have the ability to win this match. The wicket is still good to bat," said Taibu.