Bangladesh Struggles to Avoid Innings Defeat Against South Africa

Bangladesh ended Day 3 of the first Test against South Africa at 101-3, needing another 101 runs to avoid an innings defeat. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mushfiqur Rahim remained not out at stumps. South Africa’s strong total of 308 was bolstered by a century from Kyle Verreynne, while Kagiso Rabada became the fastest to 300 Test wickets.

On Tuesday, Bangladesh fought to avert an innings defeat in the first Test against South Africa, concluding the day at 101-3 and requiring a further 101 runs to save the match. Notably, Mahmudul Hasan Joy remained at the crease with 38 runs alongside Mushfiqur Rahim, who contributed 31 runs. Their partnership of 42 runs for the fourth wicket was significant, marking Mushfiqur as the first Bangladeshi cricketer to surpass 6,000 Test runs. Following South Africa’s first innings total of 308, which established a lead of 202 runs, Bangladesh encountered early setbacks, losing two wickets to the fast bowler Kagiso Rabada. Shadman Islam was dismissed for one run in the third over, followed shortly by Mominul Haque, who was caught without scoring, leaving the home team in a precarious position at 19-2 before the tea break. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was subsequently adjudged lbw to Keshav Maharaj after a challenging innings of 23 runs off 49 balls. Bangladesh nearly lost another wicket in the closing moments of the day, but Mahmudul narrowly escaped a stumping opportunity. In South Africa’s first innings, wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne played a pivotal role, scoring a century with 114 runs, aided by a crucial partnership of 119 runs for the seventh wicket with Wiaan Mulder, who contributed 54 runs. This stand recorded the highest seventh-wicket partnership for South Africa against Bangladesh. Dane Piedt also provided support with a partnership of 66 runs for the ninth wicket with Verreynne before being dismissed for 32 runs. Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud shone briefly in the morning session, capturing two wickets within two deliveries, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz concluded South Africa’s innings, with the latter finishing with figures of 3-66 and 2-63, respectively. Rabada’s success in this match saw him become the fastest bowler to achieve 300 Test wickets, accomplishing this in 11,817 balls. Additionally, Taijul Islam joined the ranks of those who have taken over 200 wickets in Test matches, concluding with a commendable 5-122. Bangladesh has never secured a victory against South Africa in a Test series, with the second Test set to commence in Chattogram on October 29.

This match represents a critical moment in the ongoing Test series between Bangladesh and South Africa. The stakes are high for the Bangladesh team, which has faced challenges in their previous encounters with the South African side. South Africa’s dominance in the series is highlighted by their substantial lead in the first Test, reinforcing the pressure on Bangladesh to perform. The achievements of individual players, such as Mushfiqur Rahim crossing the 6,000 career runs milestone and Rabada’s remarkable record of 300 Test wickets, further underscore the context of the match and the record-setting nature of this series. This context enhances the tension as Bangladesh strives for a breakthrough against an opponent they have not defeated in Test cricket.

In summary, Bangladesh concluded Day 3 of the first Test against South Africa at 101-3, still requiring 101 runs to avoid an innings defeat. The early loss of wickets put them in a difficult position as they responded to South Africa’s first innings score of 308, bolstered by a century from Kyle Verreynne. The pressure mounts as the second Test approaches, with Bangladesh seeking to alter their historical performance against a formidable South African team.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr