Bangladesh Struggle To Keep Up After Verreynne Century And Rabada Double-Strike. On a gripping day of Test cricket between South Africa and Bangladesh, the Proteas found themselves in a commanding position, largely thanks to a century from Kyle Verreynne and an incisive double strike from Kagiso Rabada. As the day drew to a close, Bangladesh was left trailing by 101 runs with seven wickets in hand, struggling to keep pace with the dominant South African side.
Stumps Day 2: Bangladesh 106 & 101 for 3 (Mahmudul 38, Mushfiqur 31, Rabada 2-10) trail South Africa 308 (Verreynne 114, Mulder 54, Taijul 5-122)**.
The second day ended with Bangladesh teetering at 101 for 3 in their second innings. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mushfiqur Rahim provided a glimmer of hope for the visitors, putting together an unbroken partnership of 42 runs, but the damage inflicted earlier by Rabada and South Africa’s bowling attack left them with a massive uphill battle.
South Africa Early Dominance
The day began with South Africa in a relatively precarious position, having been 108 for 6 in their first innings. However, the resilience shown by Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder set the tone for the rest of the match. Verreynne was the star of the show, notching up his second Test century in fine style. His aggressive yet calculated approach gave the Proteas a significant edge, eventually propelling them to a total of 308.
Verreynne’s innings of 114 came off just 144 balls, punctuated by elegant strokes and two towering sixes. His commanding century was a testament to his ability to adapt to conditions and anchor South Africa’s innings. He was ably supported by Mulder, who contributed a crucial 54, helping South Africa recover from a shaky start. Together, they added 119 runs for the seventh wicket, taking the game away from Bangladesh.
The South African lower-order also chipped in, with Dane Piedt contributing a dogged 32 from number 10. His partnership with Verreynne frustrated the Bangladeshi bowlers and allowed the Proteas to build a substantial lead. Piedt’s knock, though overshadowed by Verreynne’s century, played a vital role in ensuring South Africa posted a competitive total on a surface that was increasingly assisting spin.
Bangladesh Bowling Effort
Bangladesh’s bowling was spearheaded by Taijul Islam, who toiled hard to claim five wickets for 122 runs. Taijul bowled with great control, extracting turn and bounce from the surface to keep the South African batters on their toes. Hasan Mahmud and Mehidy Hasan Miraz also played their parts, picking up crucial wickets at regular intervals. However, Bangladesh’s inability to wrap up South Africa’s lower order allowed the Proteas to reach a commanding total of 308.
Hasan Mahmud, in particular, delivered two key blows when he dismissed Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj in quick succession, but the South African lower order showed determination to bat Bangladesh out of the contest.
Rabada Fiery Start to Bangladesh Second Innings
With a healthy first-innings lead of 202 runs, Kagiso Rabada took center stage as Bangladesh began their second innings. Rabada’s sheer pace and bounce proved too much for the Bangladeshi top-order, and within the first four overs, both Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque were back in the pavilion, both falling to Rabada’s back-of-a-length deliveries.
Shadman inside-edged a Rabada delivery to short leg, where Tony de Zorzi took a sharp catch, while Mominul nicked one to third slip, where Mulder completed a low catch. Bangladesh found themselves reeling at 4 for 2, staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat.
Despite the early collapse, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Najmul Hossain Shanto briefly steadied the ship, adding 55 runs for the third wicket. However, the introduction of Keshav Maharaj into the attack brought about Shanto’s downfall. Maharaj trapped Shanto leg-before with a delivery that turned sharply from outside off, catching the batter on the back leg.
Bangladesh’s fightback came in the form of Mushfiqur Rahim, who played an entertaining cameo, scoring 31 off 26 balls. His quick-scoring innings, combined with Mahmudul’s steady knock, ensured that there were no further losses before the end of the day. Bangladesh ended the day at 101 for 3, still trailing by 101 runs with a mountain to climb on day three.
Verreynne Masterclass in Batting
Verreynne’s century was not only crucial in the context of the match but also highlighted his growing stature in international cricket. His innings was a masterclass in handling spin on subcontinent pitches. He frequently employed the sweep and reverse sweep to great effect, neutralizing the threat posed by Bangladesh’s spinners.
Verreynne’s ability to read the length and pick the gaps with surgical precision was on full display. His 114 included seven boundaries and two massive sixes, both of which came after he had reached the three-figure mark. The first six was a slog-sweep off the wicketless Nayeem Hasan, while the second was a pull shot off Mehidy Hasan Miraz. These powerful shots not only showcased his confidence but also ensured that South Africa kept the scoreboard ticking.
The partnership between Verreynne and Piedt frustrated the Bangladeshi bowlers, who were unable to break through until Mehidy finally had Verreynne stumped by Litton Das. By then, however, the damage had been done, with South Africa already in a commanding position.
Bangladesh Batting Woes Continue
As has been the case in the series, Bangladesh’s top order crumbled under pressure. Both Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque have struggled for form, and their failures in this match further compounded Bangladesh’s woes. The pair have consistently fallen to South Africa’s pace attack, unable to deal with the movement and bounce generated by Rabada and company.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy, however, has been a bright spot for Bangladesh. His innings of 38 not out was a gritty effort, and he showed the technique and temperament required to succeed at the highest level. Mahmudul’s partnership with Mushfiqur will be crucial if Bangladesh are to avoid an innings defeat on day three.
The Road Ahead for Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s task on day three is a daunting one. They still trail by 101 runs with only seven wickets in hand, and they will need to bat out of their skins to get anywhere near South Africa’s total. Mahmudul and Mushfiqur will need to continue their partnership, but with the pitch offering assistance to both spin and pace, surviving against the likes of Rabada, Maharaj, and Mulder will be no easy task.
For South Africa, the plan will be simple: break the Mahmudul-Mushfiqur stand early and run through the rest of the Bangladesh batting lineup. With a strong first-innings lead and the momentum firmly in their favor, the Proteas will be confident of wrapping up the match and taking a step closer to a series win.
Conclusion
South Africa’s position at the end of day two is one of dominance. Kyle Verreynne’s century, supported by valuable contributions from Wiaan Mulder and the lower order, set the foundation for a commanding first-innings total. Kagiso Rabada’s early strikes then left Bangladesh reeling in their second innings, and although Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mushfiqur Rahim provided some resistance, the visitors still have a mountain to climb.
