Bangladesh struggled in their second Test match against South Africa, concluding day two at 38-4 in reply to a hefty first innings of 575-6. Following quick dismissals, the hosts face a daunting task to recover as they trail by 537 runs, with notable performances from South African batsmen, including three centuries.
In the ongoing second and final Test match held in Chattogram, Bangladesh faced a dire predicament, concluding the day’s play at 38-4 in response to South Africa’s imposing first innings total of 575-6. The hosts suffered a catastrophic start, losing four wickets within the first seven overs, a sequence that weakened their standing dramatically. Bad light hastened the early conclusion of the day’s play, with Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto set to resume the innings on Thursday. Consequently, Bangladesh trails by 537 runs following South Africa’s outstanding display which witnessed three players achieving their maiden Test centuries, including Tony de Zorzi, who was dismissed for 177 runs just prior to lunch. Kagiso Rabada initiated South Africa’s assault, claiming the wicket of Shadman Islam for a duck in the very first over after the resumption. Following him, Zakir Hasan also succumbed to Rabada’s bowling, edging a length ball outside off to the wicketkeeper for just two runs. Mahmudul Hasan Joy managed a top score of 10 runs before falling to Dane Paterson due to an outside edge caught by Aiden Markram at slip. Hasan Mahmud, brought in as a nightwatchman, was sent back by Keshav Maharaj, who deceived him with a sharp turn during his first over. Historically, South Africa’s total represented their second-highest score ever recorded against Bangladesh, closely trailing their previous record of 583-7 also scored in Chattogram in 2008. In their impressive innings, Wiaan Mulder remained unbeaten on 105, joining fellow batsmen De Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs, who scored 106. Another noteworthy performance came from Senuran Muthusamy, who ended the innings not out on 68 from only 75 balls, showcasing his ability with five boundaries and two sixes. Rich scoring opportunities abounded for South Africa, as Ryan Rickelton was the sole wicket to fall in the second session, edging Nahid Rana’s delivery for 12 runs. Taijul Islam, the left-arm spinner for Bangladesh, did shine during a tough match, achieving three wickets in three overs during the first session and notching his second five-wicket haul of the series. His dismissal of David Bedingham concluded a significant 116-run partnership with De Zorzi, as Bedingham scored 59 in an aggressive fashion. The first Test saw South Africa secure victory within four days, largely attributed to fast bowler Rabada’s exceptional figures of 6-46 in the second innings. It is noteworthy to highlight Bangladesh’s challenging history in Chattogram, having played a total of 24 Tests but only securing victory in two, with seven ending in draws.
The cricket Test match format emphasizes the skills and endurance of teams over the course of several days, often leading to significant fluctuations in performance. This particular match marks the second and final Test of the series between Bangladesh and South Africa, with the former aiming to rebound after a disappointing first Test where South Africa emerged victorious. The context of this series is heightened by South Africa’s historical dominance over Bangladesh, particularly in conditions favorable to their style of play. With the recent loss of wickets and diminishing scores at an alarming rate, Bangladesh faces a critical need to stabilize their batting performance to possibly mount a successful defense or counter-attack against the strong South African bowling lineup.
In summary, Bangladesh’s cricket team is currently grappling with a severe batting collapse, having lost four wickets quickly in response to South Africa’s significant total. With the match hanging in the balance, the focus now shifts to the team’s ability to recover in the upcoming sessions. Should they fail to regain composure, they risk a further exacerbation of their already challenging Test match record against an assertive South African side that has demonstrated both depth in batting and effectiveness in bowling.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
