Mehidy Hasan and Jaker Ali’s Heroics Lead Bangladesh’s Fightback on Rain-Affected Day 3 of Dhaka Test
Mehidy Hasan’s unbeaten 87* and Jaker Ali’s debut fifty powered Bangladesh to a strong 81-run lead against South Africa on a rain-affected Day 3 of the Dhaka Test on a rain-soaked third day of the Dhaka Test.
On the third day of the Bangladesh-South Africa Dhaka Test, poor lighting and unusual rain were important factors. Despite the disruptions, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and rookie Jaker Ali scored half-centuries to help Bangladesh rally and finish the day with an 81-run lead at 283 for 7. Bangladesh still has three wickets remaining, therefore South Africa will have to put in a lot of effort on Day 4.
Key Performances and Match Scorecard
Bangladesh 106 and 283 for 7 (Mehidy 87*, Jaker 58, Rabada 4-35) lead South Africa 308 by 81 runs.
Match Analysis
After 17 minutes of play under floodlights at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, play was halted at 3:17 p.m. Rain caused a 78-minute pause earlier, starting at 1.42 p.m. Because of a depression in the Bay of Bengal that is expected to develop into a cyclone on Wednesday, Bangladesh is experiencing unseasonable rain.
With his fourth half-century of the year, Mehidy saved Bangladesh’s blushes from a precarious situation and was their savior for the day. Mehidy and Jaker combined 138 runs for the seventh wicket when they were 112 for 6. In their last five Test matches, this is Bangladesh’s third century stand from the seventh wicket.
Mehidy batted with enough assurance to transfer some of that confidence to Jaker, who had only managed two runs in the first innings, after hitting nine fours and a six in his 171-ball stay on the third day. However, Bangladesh made a terrible start to the day, losing three wickets in the opening half of play and needing to rescue a Test match.
By the fourth over of the day, Kagiso Rabada had dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Bangladesh’s overnight batsmen. After reaching 40, Mahmudul edged a wide one, making it simple for first slip to snag it. Mushfiqur lost two stumps on the opening day, but this time it was the middle pole that fell off when Rabada ripped away his middle stump later in the over with a ball reminiscent of the one he used to dismiss the same hitter in the first innings.
Shortly after, Bangladesh fell to 112 for 6 and faced the threat of an innings loss on the third day when Litton Das was caught behind off Keshav Maharaj. After that, Mehidy and Jaker took over, overcoming a difficult opening session to enable Bangladesh surpass South Africa’s 202-run lead in the first innings.
Jaker, who was Mehidy’s backup, hit the ball well through the covers. Additionally, he hit two fours through fine leg, one of which helped him to a half-century. Jaker also hit Rabada hard with a self-assured draw shot. Additionally, he hit Rabada for three fours—once with a pull and twice through the off side.
In contrast, Mehidy was most effective against Maharaj, hitting him for four boundaries through the covers, generally along the ground but occasionally lofted ones as well. At lunch, Bangladesh came within one run of South Africa’s lead, demonstrating his ability to manage spin in general.
Play halted for 78 minutes due to rain an hour into the second session. Jaker achieved his first Test fifty before the rain stopped. He was beaten when attempting to spin the ball on the leg side, and he was lbw to Maharaj. Replays demonstrated that the umpire made the right call even though the visitors made a casual appeal. Jaker’s stay of 111 balls included seven fours.
