SA 1st Test Series Complete First Day Inning 140 Runs Against BAN. The first Test match between South Africa and Bangladesh kicked off with an action-packed Day 1 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. With both teams eager to start their Test campaigns on a positive note, the day was filled with a thrilling display of bowling and batting. Bangladesh’s decision to bat first did not go as planned, as they were bundled out for a meager score of 106 runs. South Africa, in response, ended Day 1 at 140/6, holding a 34-run lead with four wickets in hand. Let’s dive into the details of this engrossing contest, where bowlers clearly dominated the day.
Bangladesh First Inning Collapse
Winning the toss and choosing to bat, Bangladesh would have hoped for a solid start. However, the South African bowlers, led by Wiaan Mulder and Kagiso Rabada, had different plans. Bangladesh was quickly reduced to 45/5, with their top order failing to counter the pace and movement of the Proteas’ bowlers. Mahmudul Hasan Joy was the only Bangladesh batter who managed to offer some resistance, scoring a hard-fought 30 runs off 97 deliveries. His innings, though gritty, was not enough to lift Bangladesh to a respectable total.
Key Contributions from South Africa Bowlers
Wiaan Mulder was exceptional with the new ball, swinging it both ways and picking up key wickets early on. His spell of 8-4-22-3 set the tone for South Africa’s dominance. Kagiso Rabada, as always, delivered when it mattered most, capturing three wickets, including his 300th Test wicket milestone. His figures of 11-4-26-3 illustrated his ability to perform on the big stage. Rabada was well-supported by spinner Keshav Maharaj, who exploited the turn on offer, bagging three wickets as well. Maharaj’s control and ability to extract spin from the surface saw him end with figures of 16.1-4-34-3.
Despite their valiant bowling efforts, Bangladesh’s tail wagged briefly, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (13 off 24) and Taijul Islam (16 off 31) adding some crucial lower-order runs. However, their efforts could only push Bangladesh to a total of 106.
South Africa Response
South Africa began their first innings with hopes of securing a significant lead. However, their start was far from ideal, losing captain Aiden Markram in the very first over for just 6 runs. Markram was clean bowled by Hasan Mahmud, who got the ball to nip back in and breach the South African skipper’s defense.
Tony de Zorzi then took on the responsibility of anchoring the innings. De Zorzi showed great composure, batting through challenging conditions where the ball spun and seamed considerably. He formed useful partnerships with Tristan Stubbs (23 off 27) and David Bedingham (11 off 25), but the Bangladesh bowlers, particularly Taijul Islam, kept picking up wickets at regular intervals.
Taijul Islam was the star with the ball for Bangladesh, registering his 9th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. His impressive figures of 15-2-49-5 helped Bangladesh stay in the game despite their low first-innings total. Islam’s ability to consistently hit the right areas and make the ball turn sharply made life difficult for the South African batters. His wickets of de Zorzi, Stubbs, Bedingham, Rickelton, and Breetzke kept Bangladesh in the hunt.
South Africa ended Day 1 at 140/6, with Kyle Verreynne (18 off 32) and Wiaan Mulder (17 off 31) at the crease. These two showed resilience toward the end of the day, putting together a partnership that has given the Proteas a slight edge. South Africa’s lead of 34 runs may seem slim, but on a pitch that is assisting both seamers and spinners, any lead could prove decisive.
Key Performances on Day 1
| Player | Team | Runs/Wickets | Overs/Balls | Economy Rate | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wiaan Mulder | South Africa | 3 wickets | 8 overs | 2.75 | N/A |
| Kagiso Rabada | South Africa | 3 wickets | 11 overs | 2.36 | N/A |
| Keshav Maharaj | South Africa | 3 wickets | 16.1 overs | 2.10 | N/A |
| Taijul Islam | Bangladesh | 5 wickets | 15 overs | 3.26 | N/A |
| Mahmudul Hasan Joy | Bangladesh | 30 runs | 97 balls | N/A | N/A |
| Tony de Zorzi | South Africa | 30 runs | 72 balls | N/A | 1 catch |
Bangladesh Fightback Through Taijul Islam
Despite being bowled out cheaply, Bangladesh’s bowlers, particularly Taijul Islam, gave the home side hope by striking back with key South African wickets. Taijul’s five-wicket haul was nothing short of exceptional, as he kept the pressure on the Proteas with sharp spin and bounce. The dismissal of Ryan Rickelton just before stumps was a crucial breakthrough, preventing South Africa from extending their lead too far.
Bangladesh’s bowlers also ensured that South Africa couldn’t form long partnerships, and the Proteas’ middle-order struggled against the spin-friendly conditions. The spinners got a significant amount of assistance from the pitch, indicating that the Day 2 session could be just as challenging for the batsmen on both sides.
South Africa Position After Day 1
Although South Africa finished Day 1 with a 34-run lead and four wickets in hand, they cannot afford to relax. The Dhaka pitch has already shown signs of variable bounce and sharp turn, making batting a daunting task. Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder will have to extend the lead further if South Africa is to feel confident going into the second innings. A lead of over 100 runs could put immense pressure on Bangladesh, especially considering their first-innings struggles.
For Bangladesh, Day 2 will be about quickly wrapping up the remaining four South African wickets and then looking to bat much better in their second innings. The early breakthroughs from Hasan Mahmud and Taijul Islam on Day 1 should give Bangladesh belief that they can make a comeback if they bowl well in the morning session of Day 2.
Key Talking Points from Day 1
- South Africa’s Bowling Prowess: Kagiso Rabada, Wiaan Mulder, and Keshav Maharaj were sensational, reducing Bangladesh to 106 all out. Their early wickets ensured that Bangladesh could never recover, and each bowler played their part in keeping the pressure on.
- Bangladesh’s Batting Struggles: Despite being at home, Bangladesh’s top and middle order failed to handle South Africa’s disciplined bowling. Only Mahmudul Hasan Joy showed resilience, but even his valiant 30 wasn’t enough to build a competitive score.
- Taijul Islam’s 5-for: Bangladesh’s hope was reignited by Taijul Islam, whose five-wicket haul helped the Tigers claw their way back into the game. His wickets will be key in keeping South Africa’s lead within manageable limits.
- Pitch Behavior: The Dhaka pitch is offering both spin and seam movement, and batting is expected to get progressively harder. If the South African lower order can extend their lead, they will be in a commanding position.
- South Africa’s Top Order Woes: Losing Markram early was a setback for the Proteas, and although de Zorzi tried to hold the innings together, the rest of the top order struggled against Bangladesh’s spinners.
Conclusion
As Day 2 looms, the match remains evenly poised. South Africa has a slight edge with a lead of 34 runs, but they will need to add more runs to feel secure. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will aim to wrap up the South African innings quickly and then bat with more purpose in their second innings.
