Bangladesh had a dismal start in their second Test against South Africa, ending the day at 38 for 4, chasing a mammoth total of 575 for 6. The hosts lost four wickets in just seven overs, with South Africa’s batting highlighted by multiple centurions, including Tony de Zorzi with 177 runs.
On the second day of the second Test match against South Africa in Chattogram, Bangladesh found themselves in a precarious position, stumbling to 38 for 4 in response to the formidable total of 575 for 6 posted by South Africa. Bad light interrupted play, leaving Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto at the crease when the day concluded. Bangladesh’s performance deteriorated quickly, with four wickets lost within the first seven overs of their innings, trailing by 537 runs after a dominating display by South Africa that included three maiden Test centuries. Kagiso Rabada initiated the collapse by dismissing Shadman Islam for a duck in his opening over, followed by Zakir Hasan who fell cheaply to another delivery from Rabada, scoring merely two runs. Mahmudul Hasan Joy emerged as the top scorer for Bangladesh with a mere ten runs before succumbing to Dane Paterson’s bowling. Hasan Mahmud, utilized as a nightwatchman, could not withstand the spin of Keshav Maharaj and departed without a run. In contrast, the South African batting lineup exhibited robust performance, with Tony de Zorzi leading the charge with a commendable 177 runs before his dismissal. The match saw Wiaan Mulder too contribute significantly with his maiden Test century, while Senuran Muthusamy concluded the innings unbeaten on 68. The Bangladesh bowlers faced difficulty, though left-arm spinner Taijul Islam managed to claim three wickets in quick succession, fostering a brief resistance. South Africa’s impressive total stands as the second-highest against Bangladesh, only surpassed by their prior innings of 583 for 7 at the same venue in 2008. This match follows South Africa’s previous victory in the opening Test, highlighting Bangladesh’s ongoing struggles in red ball cricket at home.
The context of this match revolves around Bangladesh’s continuing challenges in Test cricket, particularly in home conditions where their record remains subpar. Chattogram, the venue for this match, has seen Bangladesh secure only two victories in 24 Tests, overshadowed by a string of drawn games and losses, exemplifying their difficulties in competing against stronger sides like South Africa. The South African team, buoyed by their recent success, showcased their batting depth and resilience, evidenced by multiple players reaching three-figure scores. The performance of Kagiso Rabada and Taijul Islam further emphasizes the contrasting bowling strategies and efficacy between the two teams, informing the overall outcome of the match.
In summary, Bangladesh’s significant struggles in their current Test match against South Africa were evident, with their batting lineup faltering early in the innings, leading to a dire situation at 38 for 4. South Africa’s innings, characterized by strong individual performances, has placed challenging expectations on the Bangladeshi side to recover in their forthcoming batting efforts. This match underscores the ongoing discrepancies in performance levels between the two teams within Test cricket, particularly evident in Chattogram’s playing conditions, which have historically favored the bowlers.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
