Bangladesh replying to hosts South Africa’s 453 runs in the first innings are far from ideal situation in the game as they were on 139-5 at the stumps on day two. Despite losing opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy for a duck in the first over of the innings at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, visitors Bangladesh were put on track with some aggressive batting from Tamim Iqbal and Nazmul Hossain Shanto. However, the tourists lost their way and were in a precarious position to lose the two-match series by 2-0.
Bangladesh batting coach Jamie Siddons following day’s play said the batters are fighting in the game the way they play the game. The Bangladesh dressing room was happy how the things started.
“I think we are trying to instill the fight in the way we play the game. We have got to be in the battle to win the battles. I think the players may have taken that on board. We have been happy with the way they have fronted up but obviously the performances so far haven’t followed up that aggression,” said Siddons to the media on Saturday.
Tamim on the day started with a booming straight drive, before Shanto joined the party with a boundary through the point and the duo added quick 79 runs for the second wicket.
Left-handed batter Tamim, however, became Wiaan Mulder's first wicket to a LBW on 47. Right-arm pacer Mulder in his next over removed Najmul on 33 following a review for an LBW. Mulder found his third wicket in Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque on six while Duanne Olivier took two to put Bangladesh in discomfort.
“I think Tamim was looking for a four to bring up his fifty. He forgot how he was playing the whole innings. He was playing beautifully straight, and not putting his pad across. I think his aggression, taking the fight to the bowlers, was excellent. It relaxed our change-room. I thought he played well for 47. It would be nice if he went on with the game though,” said Siddons.
“I have spoken to two of the (dismissed) left-handers about their dismissals already. Both were trying to hit the ball to the leg-side when they know that I talk about clearing their front pad and hit it back to where it came from (which is the off-side). We need to work on that. It is a mental and technical mistake that can be easily rectified. We need to do that pretty quickly. It is a form of dismissal that shouldn’t happen with the bloke coming around the wicket,” said the former Bangladesh head coach.
