Bangladesh VS South Africa 1st Test: Bangladesh Collapse To 106 In First Innings. In a much-anticipated clash between Bangladesh and South Africa, Day 1 of the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, saw the hosts suffer a devastating collapse, getting bowled out for just 106 runs in their first innings. Despite winning the toss and opting to bat first, Bangladesh’s batting lineup struggled against a highly disciplined South African bowling attack, which exploited the conditions effectively. The Proteas’ bowlers, led by Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, and Keshav Maharaj, took control of the match early, leaving Bangladesh in a precarious position.
Bangladesh Struggles with the Bat
Bangladesh began their innings with high hopes, but those quickly evaporated as they crumbled to a paltry total of 106 runs in 40.1 overs. The pitch at Mirpur did offer some challenges, but it was largely a case of poor shot selection and pressure from the South African bowlers that caused the collapse. The opening pair of Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy failed to provide a solid start, with Shadman falling for a duck after edging a delivery from Wiaan Mulder in the second over. Mulder’s ability to swing the ball and Rabada’s raw pace proved too much for the Bangladeshi top order.
At 21/3 inside six overs, the hosts were in deep trouble. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, who had come in to provide stability, failed to make an impact, departing for seven runs, and soon after Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim followed, leaving Bangladesh tottering.
The only shining light in the Bangladesh innings was Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who exhibited grit and determination during his 30 off 97 balls. He showed patience at the crease, but with wickets tumbling at the other end, he found little support from his teammates. Taijul Islam added a late 16 runs, helping push Bangladesh past the 100-run mark, but it was not enough to salvage their innings.
South Africa Dominance with the Ball
South Africa’s bowling attack was clinical and relentless. Wiaan Mulder set the tone early with three wickets in his opening spell, removing Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, and Najmul Hossain Shanto to leave Bangladesh reeling at 45/5. His accuracy and ability to swing the ball caused plenty of problems for the Bangladesh top order.
Kagiso Rabada also played a pivotal role, reaching a major milestone by claiming his 300th Test wicket. He dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim for 11 runs, a crucial breakthrough that further dented Bangladesh’s hopes. Rabada ended the innings with impressive figures of 3/26 in 11 overs. His raw pace and ability to hit the right areas made life difficult for the Bangladesh batters.
Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj joined the party, taking 3/34 and claiming the important wickets of Mehidy Hasan and Jaker Ali, further tightening the screws on Bangladesh. Maharaj’s ability to extract turn and bounce from the pitch proved too much for the Bangladeshi lower order. He also cleaned up the tail with ease, ensuring South Africa remained in control throughout.
Bangladesh Innings at a Glance
| Batsman | Runs | Balls Faced | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahmudul Hasan Joy | 30 | 97 | 30.92% |
| Taijul Islam | 16 | 30 | 53.33% |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | 13 | 24 | 54.17% |
| Shadman Islam | 0 | 3 | 0.00% |
| Najmul Hossain Shanto | 7 | 14 | 50.00% |
| Mushfiqur Rahim | 11 | 23 | 47.83% |
| Liton Das | 1 | 7 | 14.29% |
| Jaker Ali | 2 | 12 | 16.67% |
| Nayeem Hasan | 8 | 14 | 57.14% |
| Hasan Mahmud | 4 | 13 | 30.77% |
Total: 106/10 in 40.1 overs
The South African bowlers dominated, with Wiaan Mulder leading the pack:
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wiaan Mulder | 8.0 | 1 | 22 | 3 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 11.0 | 3 | 26 | 3 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 16.0 | 3 | 34 | 3 |
| Dane Piedt | 5.0 | 1 | 19 | 1 |
South Africa Response:
South Africa’s innings got off to a dramatic start as well, with Bangladesh striking back early. Hasan Mahmud, the lone pacer in the Bangladesh lineup, bowled an outstanding first over, dismissing Aiden Markram for 6 runs. South Africa was reduced to 9/1 after just one over, with Tony de Zorzi joining Markram in the pavilion.
However, the Proteas stabilized after this early setback, with their middle-order batsmen showing resilience against the Bangladesh bowling attack. Although South Africa faced early pressure from the home side, their lineup had the depth and experience to mount a comeback, and they looked to capitalize on Bangladesh’s dismal first innings total.
South Africa Game Plan Moving Forward
South Africa’s game plan would revolve around building a solid first innings lead. The Proteas were aware that the pitch in Mirpur would continue to deteriorate as the match progressed, making batting harder for both teams. South Africa’s objective was to capitalize on their excellent bowling performance, pile on the runs, and put Bangladesh under pressure in the second innings.
Given their strong start with the ball, South Africa was in a commanding position at the end of Day 1. The Proteas’ batting lineup, featuring the likes of Tony de Zorzi, David Bedingham, and Kyle Verreynne, had the firepower to put the game out of Bangladesh’s reach if they applied themselves on a pitch that was still playable.
The Battle for Control
As the match progressed, the battle between Bangladesh’s spinners and South Africa’s batsmen would be crucial. Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Nayeem Hasan would need to utilize the conditions to their advantage if Bangladesh had any hopes of turning the game around. Bangladesh’s spin-heavy attack was designed for such scenarios, but they would need to be far more disciplined in their line and length than their batting performance suggested.
Key Players to Watch
- Kagiso Rabada: Rabada’s milestone of 300 Test wickets not only cemented his legacy as one of the finest fast bowlers in world cricket but also highlighted his ability to deliver in crunch moments. His bowling partnership with Wiaan Mulder proved destructive for Bangladesh.
- Wiaan Mulder: The South African all-rounder displayed impressive swing bowling, ripping through Bangladesh’s top order. His contribution with the ball will be crucial, and his batting could also prove vital as South Africa aims to build a commanding lead.
- Mahmudul Hasan Joy: The young Bangladeshi opener showed resilience in the face of adversity. His ability to hold one end will be key if Bangladesh is to make any comeback in the second innings.
- Keshav Maharaj: With spin likely to play a bigger role as the game progresses, Maharaj’s experience and control will be pivotal for South Africa as they aim to wrap up the match efficiently.
Conclusion
The first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa got off to an exciting start, with South Africa dominating the proceedings on Day 1. Bangladesh’s collapse to 106 runs put them in a vulnerable position, and South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, and Keshav Maharaj, showcased their superiority.
