CHITTAGONG: Bangladesh faced a severe setback, losing four wickets within the first seven overs of their reply to South Africa’s colossal first innings total of 575-6, on the second day of the second and final Test in Chattogram.
At stumps on Wednesday, the hosts were struggling at 38-4, with Mominul Haque (six) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (four) set to resume on Thursday. Bangladesh trails by a massive 537 runs following an impressive performance by the visitors that saw three batsmen, including Tony de Zorzi, score maiden Test centuries. De Zorzi was dismissed before lunch for 177.
“We’ve found different ways of scoring in different conditions so I wouldn’t say we’ve struggled,” de Zorzi said. “Once you’re in, it’s about your decision-making and your ability to stay focused and stay in your game plan. It’s about identifying what’s working on the wicket against certain bowlers.”
The early trouble for Bangladesh began when Kagiso Rabada struck in the first over, removing Shadman Islam for a duck with an edge down the leg side. Zakir Hasan followed, edging to the wicketkeeper off a Rabada length ball outside off, departing for two. Mahmudul Hasan Joy top-scored with 10 before driving an outside-off delivery from Dane Paterson to Aiden Markram at second slip. Hasan Mahmud, intended as a night-watchman, was deceived by sharp turn from Keshav Maharaj in his first over.
South Africa’s total was their second-highest against Bangladesh, only behind their 583-7 at the same venue in 2008.
Wiaan Mulder (105 not out), De Zorzi, and Tristan Stubbs (106) made maiden centuries on a pitch offering little assistance to the bowlers. Senuran Muthusamy remained unbeaten at the declaration with 68 off 75 balls, his Test best.
Ryan Rickelton was the only batsman dismissed in the second session, edging a Nahid Rana delivery to the wicketkeeper for 12.
Taijul Islam was Bangladesh’s standout bowler, claiming his second five-wicket haul of the series with three wickets in three overs in the morning session. “I think Taijul bowled brilliantly,” said home team spin coach Mushtaque Ahmed. “He varied his pace. That’s why he got wickets on a flat track.”
Despite early wickets in Bangladesh’s reply, Mushtaque Ahmed dismissed fatigue as an excuse. “That’s not how a professional team should think. They should work hard as much as they can,” he said.
Taijul ended a 116-run stand between De Zorzi and David Bedingham by toppling Bedingham’s leg stump. Bedingham departed after a brisk 59 off 78 balls. De Zorzi was trapped lbw by Taijul for 177, leaving South Africa at 391-4.
South Africa won the opening Test inside four days, with Rabada taking 6-46 in the second innings.
Bangladesh, having played 24 Tests in Chattogram, have only won two, with seven drawn.
Scoreboard
SOUTH AFRICA (1st Innings):
- A. Markram c Mominul b Taijul 33
- T. de Zorzi lbw b Taijul 177
- T. Stubbs b Taijul 106
- D. Bedingham b Taijul 59
- R. Rickelton c Mahidul b Nahid 12
- K. Verreynne lbw b Taijul 0
- W. Mulder not out 105
- S. Muthusamy not out 68
- EXTRAS (B-10, LB-1, NB-3, W-1) 15
- TOTAL (for six wickets, decl, 144.2 overs) 575
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-69 (Markram), 2-270 (Stubbs), 3-386 (Bedingham), 4-391 (de Zorzi), 5-391 (Verreynne), 6-423 (Rickelton)
DID NOT BAT: K. Maharaj, K. Rabada, D. Paterson
BOWLING:
- Hasan 23-1-83-0
- Nahid 24-2-83-1 (1w, 3nb)
- Taijul 52.2-5-198-5
- Mehidy 39-2-171-0
- Mominul 4-0-15-0
- Mahmudul 2-0-14-0
BANGLADESH (1st Innings):
- Shadman Islam c Verreynne b Rabada 0
- Mahmudul Hasan c Markram b Paterson 10
- Zakir Hasan c Verreynne b Rabada 2
- Mominul Haque not out 6
- Hasan Mahmud b Maharaj 3
- Najmul Hossain not out 4
- EXTRAS (B-4, NB-4, PEN-5) 13
- TOTAL (for four wickets, nine overs) 38
STILL TO BAT: Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahidul Islam, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nahid Rana
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-10 (Shadman), 2-21 (Zakir), 3-29 (Mahmudul), 4-32 (Hasan)
BOWLING:
- Rabada 3-0-8-2 (2nb)
- Paterson 3-0-15-1 (2nb)
- Maharaj 2-1-4-1
- Markram 1-0-2-0
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