Taijul Islam’s Five-For Dominates 16-Wicket First Day as South Africa Takes a Narrow Lead
Taijul Islam’s stellar five-wicket haul was the highlight of the 1st day of Test played between Bangladesh and South Africa as 16 wickets falling on day 1.
With Bangladesh bowled out for just 106, South Africa finished the day at 140 for 6, having taken a 34-run advantage. Despite Bangladesh’s late comeback, the Proteas were able to maintain control because to the undefeated efforts of Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder.
Key Performances and Match Scorecard
South Africa 140 for 6 (de Zorzi 30, Rickelton 27, Taijul 5-49) lead Bangladesh106 (Mahmudul 30, Mulder 3-22, Rabada 3-26, Maharaj 3-34) by 34 runs.
Match Analysis
On a dramatic first day of play in the inaugural Test match between South Africa and Bangladesh in Dhaka, sixteen wickets fell. Despite Taijul Islam returning a five-wicket haul on a pitch that has made it easier for spinners to grip and turn the ball, the visitors managed to establish a 34-run lead at stumps. Play was abandoned six overs short due to bad light, despite South Africa reaching 140 for 6 thanks to unbroken knocks from Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder.
After South Africa dominated the first two sessions, scoring conditions in the final session allowed Bangladesh to re-enter the race. Among South Africa’s batsmen, Tony de Zorzi appeared at ease against spin and took the most balls, but Taijul sent him back for a 72-ball 30-run score in the final session to severely damage South Africa. This came after Taijul got David Bedingham to top edge for his second wicket. South Africa dropped to 108 for 6 after tea from a comfortable position of 65 for 2.
After Shakib Al Hasan, who was forced to skip his final Test match owing to security concerns, Taijul became the second Bangladeshi bowler to record 200 Test wickets. Matthew Breetzke, making his debut, exposed his stumps, expecting the ball to roll away, but instead it slipped on to clean him up.
Prior to this, South Africa made a fast start, as Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, and Keshav Maharaj each took three wickets to destroy Bangladesh, reducing them to just 106 in just two sessions.
When Najmul Hossain Shanto chose to bat first in the morning session, the two fast bowlers caused most of the damage, taking Bangladesh to six down and hurting them in foggy Mirpur. Mulder and Rabada left Bangladesh reeling at 60 for 6, using the grass cover on the surface to get extra movement off the surface and finding early swing.
Mulder took three wickets and bowled three maidens in his brilliant opening six overs. Rabada took two wickets in the morning to reach 300 for Test matches.
At the stroke of noon, Maharaj had Mehidy Hasan Miraz leg before wicket after weaving a web around the lower middle order. Before Bangladesh’s hopes of redemption were dashed, offspinner Dane Piedt bowled Mahmudul Hasan Joy for a patient thirty runs off 97 balls.
After four deliveries, Mulder removed the left-hand Shanto, setting up his third wicket. However, when the batter attempted to push through midwicket against the angle, he gave Maharaj a soft leading edge at extra cover.
When Rabada got one to whizz through the space between his bat and pad to rattle the stumps, Mushfiqur Rahim was out of the game after Rabada had bowled four overs in his opening delivery. After a few overs, he struck the hard length, forcing Litton Das to give a flying Stubbs an edge at gully.
Rabada returned in the second session to remove Nayeem Hasan after Taijul and the man put up 26 runs for the ninth wicket, which was also the highest stand in the innings. After lunch, Bangladesh scored 46 runs and lost four wickets.
Bangladesh was bowled out for a low total due to poor shot selection and excellent bowling. At the end of the day’s play, South Africa is marginally ahead despite having lost half of the side on the wicket that is turning and bouncing.
