South Africa secured a seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh in the first Test match in Mirpur, with Kagiso Rabada shining with 6-46. South Africa set a target of 106 runs after dismissing Bangladesh for 307. Stand-in captain Aiden Markram praised Rabada’s performance and the team’s success. Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan scored 97 but was disappointed at missing a century. The next Test will be held on October 29.
In the opening Test match held in Mirpur, Bangladesh, South Africa achieved a commanding seven-wicket victory, with fast bowler Kagiso Rabada being the standout performer. Rabada recorded impressive figures of 6-46, enabling Bangladesh to collapse from an overnight score of 283-7 to 307 all out, thus setting the visitors a modest target of 106 runs. Throughout the match, Rabada accumulated a total of 9-72, marking a momentous milestone as he became the fastest bowler to achieve 300 Test wickets during the first innings. Stand-in captain Aiden Markram expressed pride in the team’s accomplishment, which was confirmed before lunch on the fourth day, thereby granting South Africa a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and advancing them to fourth place in the World Test Championship standings. Markram highlighted the significance of this victory for a relatively young and inexperienced squad, stating, “A pretty young group, or slightly inexperienced group… to come to the subcontinent and get a win is great for us.” South Africa’s chase was anchored by Tony de Zorzi, who top-scored with a brisk 41 runs off 52 deliveries, despite left-arm spinner Taijul Islam capturing all three South African wickets that fell, finishing with figures of 3-43. Rabada’s superior performance overshadowed the efforts of the Bangladeshi team, particularly the notable contribution from all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored 97 runs before falling short of a century. Bangladesh’s batting collapsed late in their innings, losing three wickets for just 24 runs in a span of half an hour. Mehidy expressed his disappointment in not achieving a century, stating, “Missing out on the century is disappointing. I would have been happy if I had executed the plan better. I was only focusing on guiding the team to a strong position.” After scoring 308 in their first innings, driven by Kyle Verreynne’s second Test century, South Africa maintained the upper hand after Bangladesh was dismissed for just 106 runs on day one. This defeat marks yet another instance where Bangladesh has failed to win a Test match against South Africa. The two teams will face off again in the second and final Test of the series starting October 29 in Chattogram.
The article discusses the opening Test match between South Africa and Bangladesh, where South Africa emerged victorious due to the exceptional bowling performance by Kagiso Rabada. This match is significant as it not only provides a lead in the two-match series but also highlights Rabada’s milestone of reaching 300 Test wickets. The article illustrates the team’s dynamics, the individual performances that contributed to the outcome, and the broader implications for both teams in the World Test Championship standings.
In summary, South Africa’s triumph over Bangladesh in the first Test was largely due to Kagiso Rabada’s exceptional bowling, solidifying his reputation as a top-tier player. The victory not only positions South Africa favorably in the series and the World Test Championship but also reflects positively on the team’s potential despite their youth and inexperience. Moving forward, both teams will prepare for the second Test, where Bangladesh will aim to improve their performance.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
