Bangladesh face uphill battle as South Africa take control of first Test

Bangladesh ended day two of the first Test against South Africa on 101-3, still needing another 101 runs to avoid an innings defeat in Mirpur. Mahmudul Hasan Joy, unbeaten on 38, and Mushfiqur Rahim, on 31, combined for a 42-run partnership, with Mushfiqur becoming the first Bangladeshi to surpass 6,000 career Test runs.

South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada struck early, dismissing Shadman Islam for one and Mominul Haque for naught, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 19-2 before tea. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto battled for 23 before being trapped lbw by Keshav Maharaj. A close stumping scare for Mahmudul in the final over provided drama as Bangladesh held on.

South Africa’s first-innings total of 308, built on wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne’s 114, gave them a commanding 202-run lead. Verreynne shared a 119-run seventh-wicket stand with Wiaan Mulder, who contributed 54, before Dane Piedt added 32 in a ninth-wicket partnership of 66 with Verreynne.

Hasan Mahmud impressed with 3-66, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed 2-63 as Bangladesh struggled to contain South Africa. Rabada also made headlines, becoming the fastest bowler to reach 300 Test wickets.

Bangladesh will need resilience to avoid a defeat, with the second Test starting in Chattogram on October 29.

(Source: AFP)