All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz wants Bangladesh to focus on taking wickets rather than worrying about the target, with a historic Test victory against Australia in the offing after the third day of the Darwin Test on Saturday.

Bangladesh have the upperhand in the contest with two days left, with the hosts reaching 161-4 at stumps of Day 3, still trailing by 67 runs. The hosts had earlier been bowled out for 198 before Bangladesh posted 426.

“There are still two days of play left. It's very important for us to take three wickets from here, because all of them are good batters,” Miraz said after the day's play.

Australia's remaining batters include Cameron Green and Alex Carey, who were unbeaten at stumps after helping the hosts recover from 53-4. Miraz dismissed Steve Smith for 44 with a caught-and-bowled to give Bangladesh a crucial breakthrough.

“The pitch is getting better as the days go on. So, I think we're trying not to think too much about the target and instead take it step by step,” he said.

Bangladesh's first-innings total was built around Tanzid Hasan Tamim's historic 101 and Miraz's resilient 65 late down the order.

Josh Hazlewood took 6-89 and became the ninth Australian to reach 300 Test wickets, but Bangladesh still secured a 228-run lead.

Miraz said Bangladesh's bowlers have had to toil hard for their four wickets on the day as conditions remain conducive to batting.

“We're trying to bowl in good areas, because we'll have to work hard for every wicket. We can see the pitch isn't that easy — the wickets we've got have come after a lot of hard work,” he said.

The all-rounder also believes Bangladesh's strong showing against one of the world's best teams should give them confidence.

“We've actually been playing very good cricket over the last few days. And you all know that all the legendary players are here and everyone's watching the match.

“The team we're playing, we all know it's one of the best teams. And they're playing with their full strength. So, it feels good that Bangladesh has got a momentum like this.”

Even with a historic win in reach, Miraz said the Bangladesh players determined not to get carried away.

“It's not over yet. It continues for two more days. So we're trying to make sure we don't let this good run end — that's how we're approaching it,” he said.

Miraz has been one of Bangladesh’s stand out performers in the tour, scoring an unbeaten century in warm-up, before a half-century in the Test. With the ball, he claimed the price wicket of Smith.

When asked if recently losing the ODI captaincy lit a fire under his belly, he smiled and denied any connection with his performance and the recent sacking.

“My mindset is clear at this moment. I know this condition, how to bowl the right area and how to bat. I just think about how to get a scoring option.”