Taijul Islam Five Wicket Haul Keeps Bangladesh Fighting Against South Africa. In a thrilling first test match between Bangladesh and South Africa, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam delivered a stunning performance, claiming 5-49 to keep Bangladesh in contention despite being bowled out for a meager 106 runs in their first innings. The first day at the Shere Bangla National Stadium saw an intense contest between bat and ball, with 16 wickets falling, leaving the game evenly poised. South Africa ended Day 1 with a lead of 34 runs, closing at 140-6, but Taijul’s heroics have ensured that Bangladesh remains very much in the game.
The day belonged to Taijul, who became only the second Bangladeshi bowler after Shakib Al Hasan to reach the milestone of 200 wickets in Test cricket. His stellar effort kept the Proteas from taking complete control, as they were reduced to 140-6 at stumps. Kyle Verreynne (18*) and Wiaan Mulder (17*) were the unbeaten batsmen at the end of the day, holding on to keep South Africa’s hopes alive on a pitch that has shown signs of significant deterioration.
This gripping contest sets the stage for what promises to be a highly competitive Test series between these two cricketing nations.
Bangladesh Struggles with the Bat
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Bangladesh endured a disastrous start, finding themselves in deep trouble early on, courtesy of a brilliant bowling display by Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, and Keshav Maharaj. The hosts could never get going, losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually being bundled out for just 106 runs in their first innings.
The carnage began when Wiaan Mulder took a wicket in each of his first three overs, immediately putting Bangladesh on the back foot. His early breakthroughs, including the dismissal of Shadman Islam for a duck, set the tone for the day. Shadman’s dismissal came when he played a loose shot, edging to second slip off a delivery that moved away. Mominul Haque soon followed, caught behind, while Najmul Hossain Shanto, the Bangladesh captain, flicked a delivery straight to short mid-off, leaving his team reeling at 21-3 in the sixth over.
Kagiso Rabada, with his lethal pace and accuracy, joined the party by dismantling Bangladesh’s middle order. He bowled Mushfiqur Rahim for 12 runs, marking his 300th wicket in Test cricket, becoming only the sixth South African bowler to reach this illustrious milestone. He then dismissed Liton Das, who was caught at gully for a single, leaving Bangladesh’s top-order in shambles.
As lunch approached, Keshav Maharaj, South Africa’s trusted spinner, trapped Mehidy Hasan lbw for 13 runs, leaving Bangladesh at a precarious 39-6.
Mahmudul Hasan Gritty Knock
Amidst the chaos, Bangladesh’s opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy was a beacon of resistance. Battling throughout the morning session, Hasan provided a semblance of stability. His 30 off 97 deliveries, including two boundaries and a six, was the highest score for his team, but it was far from enough to prevent the collapse.
After lunch, Dane Piedt claimed his only wicket of the innings by bowling out Hasan, leaving Bangladesh at 76-8 and in grave danger of being bowled out for under 100. Debutant Jaker Ali Anik was stumped for just 2 runs off the bowling of Maharaj, further compounding Bangladesh’s woes. However, Taijul Islam, known more for his bowling, chipped in with a valuable 16 runs, helping his side cross the 100-run mark.
Bangladesh eventually folded for 106 runs, with the South African bowlers sharing the spoils. Mulder (3-22), Rabada (3-35), and Maharaj (3-23) were the chief destroyers, exploiting the conditions expertly.
| Bangladesh 1st Innings | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahmudul Hasan | 30 | 97 | 2 | 1 |
| Mushfiqur Rahim | 12 | 24 | 2 | 0 |
| Taijul Islam | 16 | 32 | 3 | 0 |
| Jaker Ali Anik | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Mehidy Hasan | 13 | 38 | 1 | 0 |
| Extras | 9 | – | – | – |
| Total | 106 | All out | – | – |
Taijul Islam Heroics with the Ball
While Bangladesh’s batsmen faltered, Taijul Islam took it upon himself to keep his team in the contest. His 5-49 was a masterclass in spin bowling on a surface that aided turn and bounce. The spinner made full use of the conditions, striking at regular intervals to disrupt South Africa’s innings.
South Africa, starting confidently with Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi, looked set to take control of the match. The duo shared a 44-run partnership for the second wicket, with Stubbs scoring a quick 23 off 27 balls. However, Taijul’s introduction into the attack changed the course of the innings.
The left-arm spinner first dismissed Stubbs, who was completely undone by a ball that turned sharply. He then removed Tony de Zorzi, who top-scored for South Africa with 30 runs, getting extra bounce to force the mistake. Taijul continued his brilliant spell by accounting for Matthew Breetzke, who was dismissed after scoring 14, and his landmark 200th Test wicket came when he sent back Ryan Rickelton, who had looked comfortable before edging a skidding delivery on a rough patch to the slips.
Despite Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder showing resistance towards the end of the day with an unbeaten 32-run partnership, Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Taijul, kept South Africa’s lead in check.
South Africa 1st Innings
| South Africa 1st Innings | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony de Zorzi | 30 | 65 | 4 | 0 |
| Tristan Stubbs | 23 | 27 | 3 | 0 |
| Ryan Rickelton | 27 | 52 | 4 | 0 |
| Matthew Breetzke | 14 | 31 | 2 | 0 |
| Kyle Verreynne | 18* | 50 | 2 | 0 |
| Wiaan Mulder | 17* | 41 | 1 | 0 |
| Extras | 11 | – | – | – |
| Total | 140-6 | 45 overs | – | – |
Pitch Conditions and Match Dynamics
The Shere Bangla National Stadium pitch has been a significant factor in this contest. The surface has shown early signs of wear and tear, offering plenty of assistance to the spinners, particularly Taijul Islam. As the pitch deteriorates further, both teams will have to adapt their strategies to deal with the unpredictable bounce and turn.
For South Africa, the key will be to build on their slender lead of 34 runs on Day 2. Their lower order, led by Verreynne and Mulder, will aim to stretch the lead as much as possible. For Bangladesh, a quick breakthrough will be crucial if they are to limit South Africa’s advantage and give themselves a realistic chance of pushing for a win.
Conclusion
As Day 1 comes to a close, this test match is finely poised. Taijul Islam’s five-wicket haul has kept Bangladesh in the hunt, despite their poor batting display. With the pitch likely to deteriorate further, the role of spinners will become increasingly important, and the contest could swing either way.
