Kagiso Rabada’s Bowling Puts Bangladesh in Dire Straits during Second Test

Kagiso Rabada’s remarkable bowling of 5-37 placed Bangladesh in a difficult position at lunch on Day 3 of the second Test in Chattogram, leaving them at 137-8. Mominul Haque showed resistance with 74 runs, but Bangladesh still faced a significant deficit and needed to avoid the follow-on after South Africa declared at 575-6 in their first innings.

On Thursday, South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada delivered an impressive performance, securing five wickets for 37 runs, consequently placing Bangladesh in a precarious position at 137-8 during the lunch break on Day 3 of the second and final Test match in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Rabada’s fierce bowling spell significantly impacted the morning session, reducing Bangladesh to a dismal score of 48-8. However, Mominul Haque exhibited resilience, contributing to the team’s score by reaching 74 runs alongside Taijul Islam, who added 18. The duo managed to forge a partnership of 89 runs for the ninth wicket, yet Bangladesh still faced a daunting challenge, trailing by 438 runs and requiring an additional 339 runs to avoid a follow-on and compel South Africa to bat again. In the first innings, South Africa declared at a formidable score of 575-6, bolstered by three players achieving their maiden centuries. Rabada commenced his striking early in the match; within the fourth over of the day, he dismissed Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored only 9 runs. Shortly thereafter, Dane Paterson eliminated Mushfiqur Rahim for a duck, leaving Rahim without a half-century for nine innings since his remarkable 191 against Pakistan. The situation deteriorated further for Bangladesh as Rabada swiftly claimed two additional wickets, removing Mehidy Hasan for just 1 run and Mahidul Islam, who was out without scoring on his debut. In spite of these challenges, Mominul Haque demonstrated that the pitch remained favorable for batting, producing a commendable innings consisting of eight fours and one six from 97 deliveries. It is noteworthy that in the previous Test match, Bangladesh succumbed to a defeat by seven wickets.

In the context of Test cricket, the performance of fast bowlers plays a pivotal role in determining the outcome of matches, particularly on pitches conducive to pace bowling. Kagiso Rabada is a key player for South Africa, known for his ability to dismantle batting orders with his speed and precision. Bangladesh, who faced South Africa in back-to-back Test matches, found themselves in a challenging situation in the series’ second match, struggling to match the batting and bowling prowess of their opponents. The significance of the match increases with Bangladesh’s previous loss, contributing to the pressure faced by the team.

In summary, Kagiso Rabada’s exceptional bowling performance significantly hindered Bangladesh’s efforts in the second Test match, leaving them at a challenging score of 137-8 at lunch on Day 3. The combination of South Africa’s strong batting in their first innings and Rabada’s aggressive bowling highlights the growing difficulties for the Bangladesh team as they strive to recover from their previous defeat and attempt to perform against a dominant South African side.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com