Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes believes they were in a position where they could dictate the ongoing Test against South Africa at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium but expressed disappointment at not being able to do so as persistent rain washed out the entire fourth and penultimate day’s play yesterday.
Kayes however, stated that they would gladly take the positives attained from the Test match, including the requirement of the fifth and final day for the first time in a Bangladesh-South Africa five-dayer.
“It is disappointing, given that we were still leading. The lead was not big but the game was finely balanced and could have gone either way. To some extent, we dominated the game. But bad luck that we did not get to play the five days. Still, I think this is a positive for Bangladesh cricket that we have been able to compete for five days against a team like South Africa,” Kayes told Gazi TV, the official broadcaster of the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Ahead of the final day’s proceedings today, draw seems to be the likeliest result but Kayes informed that they would go all-out in order to skittle out the visitors as soon as possible.
“Our target will be to dismiss them as soon as possible and chase down the target. But time and rain will be crucial factors in determining the outcome of the game,” said Kayes.
The left-hander was counting on the side’s spinners to initiate early inroads into the South African batting order.
“The whole pitch is covered now and it will remain the same for many hours to come. It will catch moisture so its behaviour will change drastically I guess. If our spinners like Shakib [al Hasan] and Taijul [Islam] manage to take help from the wicket and bowl to their ability, I think we will be able to get them all-out quickly,” said Imrul.