South Africa Sets A Record With 575 Runs Against Bangladesh In 2nd Test Match. In a remarkable display of dominance, South Africa declared their first innings at an impressive 575/6 on the second day of the 2nd Test against Bangladesh. Riding on career-best centuries from Tony de Zorzi (177) and Wiaan Mulder (105*), South Africa set a monumental total before reducing Bangladesh to 38/4 at the close of play at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on October 30, 2024. This game has already proved memorable, marked by exceptional batting and a clinical bowling attack that left Bangladesh struggling to keep up.
First Innings Glory for South Africa
South Africa won the toss and elected to bat on a batting-friendly pitch, quickly taking advantage of the conditions. Openers Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi built a solid foundation with a 69-run partnership. Although Markram (33 off 55) departed early to Taijul Islam, his effort was the first of many contributions that allowed South Africa to reach an imposing score.
De Zorzi, anchoring the innings, remained unfazed by early wickets, gradually accelerating the scoring rate as he found reliable partners in Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham. South Africa reached 109/1 by lunch on Day 1, with de Zorzi approaching his half-century. The post-lunch session saw de Zorzi (177) and Stubbs (106) accelerate the scoring, both reaching their maiden Test centuries in a historic batting feat for the team.
A Historic Feat
This Test match became only the second instance in Test history where three South African batsmen scored maiden centuries in a single innings. The last time such a feat occurred was in 1948 when the West Indies trio of Gerry Gomez, Robert Christiani, and Clyde Walcott achieved it. De Zorzi, Stubbs, and Mulder’s centuries were a testament to South Africa’s depth and talent, especially in challenging away conditions.
Tristan Stubbs showcased his resilience with a composed 106 off 198 balls. His innings included six fours and three sixes, complementing de Zorzi’s 177 off 269 balls. The pair’s record-breaking 200-run partnership left Bangladesh searching for breakthroughs on a pitch that offered little for the bowlers.
A Challenging Day for Bangladesh Bowlers
Bangladesh’s bowlers had their work cut out for them, but it was Taijul Islam who stood out, claiming a hard-earned five-wicket haul (5-198 in 52.2 overs). Despite his efforts, Taijul endured a grueling day as South Africa’s batsmen scored freely, keeping the run rate close to four runs per over throughout the innings. The pitch, known for its slow nature, offered minimal help, adding to Bangladesh’s frustrations.
The Bangladeshi bowlers struggled to contain South Africa’s aggressive batting lineup. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud failed to make any breakthroughs, with the former conceding a costly 171 runs in his 39 overs. Nahid Rana provided a brief respite for Bangladesh, dismissing Ryan Rickelton (12) to end South Africa’s fourth-wicket partnership, but it was not enough to halt South Africa’s scoring spree.
The Mulder-Muthusamy Partnership
South Africa’s lower-order batsmen, Wiaan Mulder and Senuran Muthusamy, further added to Bangladesh’s woes. Together, they put up an unbeaten 152-run partnership for the seventh wicket, pushing South Africa past the 500-run mark for the first time since 2020. Mulder played confidently, reaching his century with eight fours and four sixes. His innings was a mix of patience and aggression, particularly in his use of the lofted drive against the spinners.
Muthusamy played an invaluable supporting role, scoring a brisk 68 off 75 balls. His innings featured five boundaries and two sixes, allowing him to reach his maiden Test fifty. The partnership between Mulder and Muthusamy broke South Africa’s previous record for the seventh-wicket stand against Bangladesh, set in the first Test of this series.
Bangladesh’s Early Collapse
After setting an enormous target, South Africa declared their innings at 575/6, and their bowlers immediately took control. Kagiso Rabada, known for his skill with the new ball, struck early to remove Shadman Islam for a duck. Rabada followed up with another quick wicket, dismissing Zakir Hasan for just 2 runs.
Dane Paterson and Keshav Maharaj joined the party, with Paterson removing Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Maharaj clean-bowling nightwatchman Hasan Mahmud. Bangladesh ended Day 2 at a perilous 38/4, trailing South Africa by 537 runs.
Scorecard Summary for South Africa First Innings
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiden Markram | 33 | 55 | 2 | 0 | c Mominul b Taijul |
| Tony de Zorzi | 177 | 269 | 12 | 4 | lbw b Taijul |
| Tristan Stubbs | 106 | 198 | 6 | 3 | b Taijul |
| David Bedingham | 59 | 78 | 2 | 4 | b Taijul |
| Ryan Rickelton | 12 | 41 | 1 | 0 | c Mahidul b Nahid |
| Kyle Verreynne | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | lbw b Taijul |
| Wiaan Mulder | 105* | 150 | 8 | 4 | Not Out |
| Senuran Muthusamy | 68* | 75 | 5 | 2 | Not Out |
| Extras | 15 | ||||
| Total | 575/6 (dec) | 144.2 overs |
Bangladesh Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hasan Mahmud | 23 | 1 | 83 | 0 | 3.60 |
| Nahid Rana | 24 | 2 | 83 | 1 | 3.45 |
| Taijul Islam | 52.2 | 5 | 198 | 5 | 3.78 |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | 39 | 2 | 171 | 0 | 4.38 |
| Mominul Haque | 4 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 3.75 |
| Mahmudul Hasan Joy | 2 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 7.00 |
Bangladesh Struggle and Key Highlights from South Africa Dominant Performance
The hosts were visibly under pressure as South Africa continued to dominate with both bat and ball. While Taijul Islam earned his 14th five-wicket haul, it was the most expensive five-for in his career, conceding 198 runs. Bangladesh’s woes were further compounded by a five-run penalty when umpires found Senuran Muthusamy damaging the pitch, highlighting the hosts’ growing frustration.
The Proteas bowlers wasted no time in dismantling Bangladesh’s top order, with Rabada and Paterson capitalizing on the momentum. Bangladesh’s nightwatchman Hasan Mahmud was clean-bowled by Maharaj, summing up a tough day for the home side, who found themselves reeling under relentless pressure.
Conclusion
With Bangladesh in deep trouble at 38/4, South Africa is in a commanding position, just days into the Test. The Proteas’ batting strength and disciplined bowling attack have put them on course for a potential series-clinching win. South Africa leads the two-match series 1-0 and appears well on their way to claiming a decisive victory in Chattogram, leaving Bangladesh with the challenge of overcoming an enormous first-innings deficit and a formidable Proteas bowling lineup.
