Bangladesh faces uphill battle after South Africa’s massive innings

AFP/APP

Chattogram: Bangladesh faced a challenging start to their second innings, stumbling to 38-4 in reply to South Africa’s imposing first innings total of 575-6 on day two of the second and final Test in Chattogram.

Bad light curtailed play early, leaving Mominul Haque (six) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (four) to resume on Thursday.

The hosts trail by 537 runs after a dominant batting display from the visitors, who celebrated maiden Test centuries from three batsmen, including Tony de Zorzi, who scored 177 before lunch.

Kagiso Rabada made an immediate impact, claiming the wicket of Shadman Islam for a duck with a delivery that the left-hander edged down the leg side. Zakir Hasan followed shortly after, dismissed for just two runs as he edged a length ball to the wicketkeeper.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy was the top scorer for Bangladesh with 10 runs before falling to Dane Paterson while attempting to drive an outside-off delivery, only to edge it to Aiden Markram at second slip. Hasan Mahmud, sent in as a nightwatchman, was deceived by a sharp turn from Keshav Maharaj in the spinner’s first over.

South Africa’s first innings total marked their second-highest score against Bangladesh, just shy of their 583-7 at the same venue in 2008. Wiaan Mulder joined De Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs in notching a maiden Test century, remaining unbeaten on 105, while Senuran Muthusamy also contributed with a brisk 68 off 75 balls, including five fours and two sixes.

Ryan Rickelton was the only wicket to fall in the second session, dismissed for 12 after edging a delivery from Nahid Rana to the wicketkeeper.

Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner Taijul Islam produced an impressive performance, claiming three wickets in three overs, achieving his second five-wicket haul of the series. He bowled David Bedingham for 59, ending a 116-run partnership with De Zorzi, who was then trapped lbw by Taijul shortly after.

De Zorzi’s innings featured four sixes and 12 fours off 269 balls, illustrating South Africa’s batting dominance. Bangladesh has managed only two wins in their 24 Tests played at Chattogram, with seven matches ending in draws.

South Africa won the first Test within four days, with Rabada excelling in the second innings, taking 6-46.