Kyle Verreynne Century Puts South Africa Against Bangladesh In Dhaka Test. In a thrilling encounter at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne delivered an outstanding performance on day two of the first Test match, propelling his team into a commanding position. His century played a pivotal role in helping South Africa secure a first-innings total of 308, a significant lead of 202 runs over Bangladesh’s first innings score of 106. The Proteas, led by Verreynne’s gritty 114, are now in the driver’s seat as Bangladesh faces an uphill task in their second innings.
Day Two: Verreynne Masterclass in Subcontinent Conditions
South Africa resumed day two with a precarious position of 140/6, with Kyle Verreynne on 18 and Wiaan Mulder on 17. The Dhaka pitch offered ample assistance to Bangladesh’s spinners, and the Proteas had to battle hard against the likes of Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who were extracting turn and bounce. Taijul, who had already claimed five wickets, continued to trouble the South African middle order.
However, Verreynne and Mulder showcased exceptional composure and patience, putting on a 119-run partnership that proved to be the backbone of South Africa’s innings. Mulder, playing with maturity beyond his years, reached his maiden Test half-century before falling to a sharp delivery from Hasan Mahmud. His 54 off 112 balls was a crucial contribution to the Proteas’ recovery from a potentially disastrous position.
Verreynne, though, was the star of the show. His ability to play the sweep and reverse sweep with precision allowed him to counter the spin threat effectively. As the Bangladesh spinners looked to tighten their grip, Verreynne used his footwork and shot selection to keep the scoreboard ticking. He brought up his fourth Test fifty from 67 balls, sweeping Taijul Islam to short square leg to mark a pivotal moment in the innings.
Verreynne Second Test Century
As the innings progressed, Verreynne found a reliable partner in Dane Piedt, and together they added 66 runs for the ninth wicket. Piedt’s contribution of 32 runs was invaluable in ensuring that South Africa’s lead went beyond the psychologically significant 200-run mark. Verreynne, on the other hand, continued to accumulate runs with a blend of patience and aggression, reaching his second Test century off 134 balls. His innings was studded with eight boundaries and two sixes, both of which came off the bowling of Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Verreynne became the third South African wicketkeeper-batsman to score a century in Asia, following in the footsteps of AB de Villiers, who scored 164 against Pakistan in Dubai in 2013, and Quinton de Kock, who notched 111 against India in Visakhapatnam in 2019. His innings not only anchored South Africa’s first-innings total but also helped them establish a dominant position in the Test match.
Verreynne’s knock came to an end when he was stumped by Liton Das off the bowling of Mehidy Hasan Miraz. South Africa’s innings eventually closed at 308, with Hasan Mahmud finishing with figures of 3/66 and Taijul Islam leading the Bangladesh attack with 5/122 in 36 overs.
Bangladesh Struggles in Their Second Innings
Trailing by 202 runs, Bangladesh needed a strong start to their second innings, but Kagiso Rabada had other ideas. The South African paceman, fresh off celebrating his 300th Test wicket on day one, struck early to reduce Bangladesh to a precarious 4/2 in just the third over. Rabada’s fiery opening spell set the tone for South Africa, and Bangladesh was left reeling as they struggled to cope with the relentless pace and movement.
Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mahmudul Hasan Joy provided some resistance with a fifty partnership, but their efforts were short-lived. Shanto was eventually dismissed by Keshav Maharaj for 23, leaving Bangladesh at 59/3. With the match slipping away from them, opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim steadied the ship with an unbroken 42-run partnership. When bad light forced an early end to the day’s play, Bangladesh had reached 101/3, still trailing by 101 runs.
Joy was unbeaten on 38, while Rahim, Bangladesh’s leading Test run-scorer, remained not out on 31. Despite their efforts, the pressure remains firmly on Bangladesh as they enter day three needing to build a substantial total to avoid an innings defeat.
Rabada and Maharaj Lead South Africa Bowling Attack
While Verreynne’s century grabbed the headlines, South Africa’s bowling attack also played a crucial role in establishing their dominance. Kagiso Rabada, who had already etched his name in the record books with his 300th Test wicket, was the pick of the bowlers in Bangladesh’s second innings. His fiery spell yielded figures of 2/10, and his ability to swing the ball both ways made life difficult for the Bangladesh top order.
Keshav Maharaj also played a vital role, picking up the wicket of Shanto and keeping the pressure on Bangladesh’s batsmen with his consistent line and length. The spin-friendly conditions in Dhaka suited Maharaj’s bowling, and he will be a key player for South Africa as they look to wrap up Bangladesh’s second innings quickly on day three.
South Africa Resilience in Testing Conditions
South Africa’s performance in this Test match is a testament to their resilience in subcontinent conditions, where they have historically struggled. The Dhaka pitch has provided ample assistance to the spinners, but the Proteas have shown remarkable application and adaptability, particularly in the way they handled the Bangladesh bowling attack.
Kyle Verreynne, in particular, has demonstrated the importance of patience and shot selection when facing spin in the subcontinent. His ability to sweep and reverse sweep with confidence allowed him to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard moving, ensuring that the Bangladesh bowlers could not settle into a rhythm.
Verreynne’s knock will go down as one of the finest by a South African wicketkeeper-batsman in subcontinent conditions, and it is a performance that could prove decisive in the outcome of this Test match.
The Road Ahead: Bangladesh Task on Day Three
As play resumes on day three, Bangladesh faces a daunting task. Still trailing by 101 runs, they need to bat for at least three sessions to give themselves a chance of setting South Africa a competitive target. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mushfiqur Rahim will be key to Bangladesh’s hopes, and the pair will need to build on their current partnership if Bangladesh is to avoid an innings defeat.
South Africa, on the other hand, will be looking to wrap up the Bangladesh innings as quickly as possible. With Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj in fine form, the Proteas have the firepower to dismiss Bangladesh’s remaining batsmen and secure a comprehensive victory.
Conclusion
In what has been a fascinating Test match, Kyle Verreynne’s century has been the defining performance. His 114 runs have given South Africa a commanding lead, and with Bangladesh still trailing by 101 runs, the Proteas are firmly in control as the match heads into day three. Verreynne’s innings, combined with the efforts of Wiaan Mulder, Dane Piedt, and the South African bowlers, has put South Africa on the brink of a memorable victory in Dhaka.
