Tigers in troublesome 19-2 at tea after SA post 308
Bangladesh made a poor start to its second innings as they slumped to 19-2 at tea on Day 2 of the first cricket Test against South Africa at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.The Tigers, as it was adorably called, were bowled out for 106 in its first innings and then conceded a massive 202-run lead when South Africa, led by a resolute Kyle Verreynne, posted 308 before being all out.
Kagiso Rabada took the fallen two wickets, claiming the wickets of Shadman Islam (1) and Mominul Haque. Mahmudul Hasan Joy was batting on 11 with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto 5 at the second interval of the day. Bangladesh still needed 183 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
Earlier, Verreynne shared two vital partnerships-119 with Wiaan Mulder for the seventh wicket and 66 with Dane Piedt for the ninth wicket-on Day 2, to put the visitors on the front foot after South Africa resumed at 140-6. Verreynne eventually was the last batter out after smashing 114 off 144, with eight fours and two sixes.
Mulder hit 54 off 112, sending the ball across the ropes for eight times, while Piedt scored 87 ball-32 with two fours. South Africa were in danger of being all out before taking a significant lead with Bangladesh spinners getting turn and bounce aplenty since the Day 1 evening session. However, Verreyne and Mulder batted resolutely on Day 2 to take full control of the match.
They played the sweep and reverse sweep shot perfectly to astutely deal with the Bangladesh spinners as South Africa found them in a position of strength. Verreynne raised his fourth fifty from 67 balls by sweeping Taijul to short square leg before taking on, other two spinners, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Naeem Hasan with precision.
Mulder, who took 3-22 with bowling, reverse-swept offspinner Nayeem for four through third man to complete his maiden half-century off 105 balls. As the partnership grew stronger, pacer Hasan Mahmud gave the side some respite with two wickets in consecutive deliveries.
He had Mulder caught by Shadman at wide slip with a back of length delivery and then clean-bowled Keshav Maharaj for a duck. Bangladesh looked to wrap up the innings with South Africa in a 121-run lead. But Piedt gave Verreyne the ample support to rotate the scoreboard rapidly and thus help the side take the lead past 200 eventually. Verreyne brought up his second Test century off 134 balls, sweeping Taijul Islam powerfully through deep square-leg for a single.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who took 2-63, broke through with the wicket of Piedt, who reviewed the leg-before decision unsuccessfully.Verreynne hit two sixes off Miraz before the bowler got the better of him to bring an end to the South African innings, one hour after the lunch session. Hasan Mahmud claimed 3-66 while Taijul couldn't add any of his overnight tally and finished with 5-93.
