Bangladesh are on the backfoot and still trailing South Africa’s first-innings total by 101 runs with seven wickets in hand at stumps on day two of the first Test of the two-match series in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Tuesday.
After the Proteas posted a commanding total of 308, the Tigers’ top-order started their second innings nervously as they lost two wickets in the third over against in-form Kagiso Rabada.
Opener Shadman Islam was out for one and No 3 Mominul Haque nought before Mahmudul Hasan Joy and captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto stitched together 55 for the third wicket to halt the slide.
But skipper Shanto (23 off 49) lost his wicket after getting set as he was trapped in front for a plumb leg before wicket by spinner Keshav Maharaj in the fifth ball of the 19th over.
After Shanto’s departure, Joy put on 42 for the unbroken fourth wicket alongside Mushfiqur Rahim, who was unbeaten on 31, to cut the Proteas’ lead down to 101.
Mushfiq was batting with some positive intent as he was unbeaten on 31 off just 26 deliveries with Joy looking good at the other end.
Joy (38 not out) survived a close call of stumping in the last over of the day as he charged down the ground for a big shot, failed to connect but just managed to replace his bat on time in the 28th over.
The light was fading quickly and Joy’s stumping attempt was the last action of the day as Bangladesh finished with 101 for three.
Rabada picked up two wickets while Maharaj took one.
The South Africans earlier registered 308 in their first innings to take a 202-run lead, thanks to Kyle Verreynne’s second Test hundred.
Resuming on their overnight score of 140/6, the visitors added an useful 168 runs losing the remaining four wickets after a 119-run seventh-wicket stand between Verreynne (114) and Wiaan Mulder (54).
Following Mulder’s dismissal, centurion Verreynne and No 10 batter Dane Piedt (32) shared 66 crucial runs for the ninth wicket to extend the tourists’ first-innings lead.
Verreynne's magnificent 114-run innings came off 144 deliveries and was composed with eight fours and two sixes.
Taijul Islam led the way for the hosts’ attack with a five-for while Hasan Mahmud and Mehedi Hasan Miraz bagged three and two wickets respectively.
Earlier opting to bat first on day one, the Tigers were bundled out in their first innings for a paltry 106 with Joy scoring the highest 30.
1ST TEST, DAY 2
Bangladesh 106 & 101/3 in 27.1 overs (Joy 38*, Mushfiq 31*) trail South Africa 308 in 88.4 overs (Verreynne 114, Taijul 5/122) by 101 runs