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DAY 3: Mehidy, Jaker keep Bangladesh alive against South Africa

xtra23 October 2024 11:08| © MWP
By:Patrick Compton
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Mehidy Hasan Miraz struck an unbeaten 87 as Bangladesh finished a shortened third day of the first test on 283 for seven wickets in 85 overs in their second innings, an overall lead of 81.

Miraz has so far struck nine fours and a superb on-driven six in his 171-ball innings – his ninth test half-century – and Bangladesh’s hopes will rest with him and a determined effort from the tail if his team are to set South Africa a challenging fourth-innings target.

Only 57.5 overs were possible on the day with rain wiping out half the afternoon’s play and bad light allowing only five more overs when the players briefly returned after an early tea. Skipper Aiden Markram, taking over the spinning duties for the first time in the match, and Keshav Maharaj bowled the five overs as the umpires had informed the South Africans that the second new ball could not be taken by their pace bowlers because of the poor light. The South Africans conceded 16 runs during that time.

Bangladesh’s day began badly as they lost three quick wickets after beginning the day on 101 for three, but from the depths of 112 for six, they only lost one more wicket as Miraz and debutant Jaker Ali added 138 in 245 balls for the seventh wicket – a Bangladesh record against South Africa. After the dismissal of Ali, leg before to the admirable Maharaj, Nayeem Hasan (16) helped Miraz to add a further 33 in 59 balls before bad light stopped play.

FORMIDABLE RABADA

It was the formidable Kagiso Rabada who claimed the wickets of both overnight batters, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mushfiqur Rahim, in the space of three balls in his second over.

First Mahmudul (40 in 92 balls) flashed at a wide delivery he should have left alone, edging a catch into David Bedingham’s midriff at second slip. Two balls later he speared one through Mushfiqur Rahim’s (33) defence, shattering his stumps, a similar mode of dismissal to his demise in the first innings.

Maharaj then joined the party six runs later when the left-arm spinner got one to turn sharply away from Litton Das who got a scratch as he pushed forward. Skipper Aiden Markram opted at the last moment to review the umpire’s not-out decision, and was proved correct.

After starting the day on 101 for three, Bangladesh were now teetering on 112 for six – still 90 runs in arrears – and South Africa could see victory beckoning.

But Miraz is a fighter and, together with Ali, he not only defied the South African bowlers, but actively took the fight to them. Offspinner Dane Piedt was the main source of runs with Miraz straight-driving him for six and fleecing him regularly for runs as the veteran, who lacked consistent control, went for 61 in 11 overs before lunch and ultimately 95 runs in 19 overs.

Ali reached lunch unbeaten on 30 with his team just one run shy of making South Africa bat again. Continuing to use his feet well as he gained in confidence, he went to his half-century with a glance for four off a wayward Piedt delivery, his runs coming in 102 balls and including seven fours. He had provided invaluable support for his senior partner, much like Wiaan Mulder had done in his century partnership with Kyle Verreynne in South Africa’s first innings.

Maharaj ratcheted up the pressure in the afternoon, troubling both batters, before he eventually broke the partnership when he trapped Ali right in front playing back to a slightly quicker, fuller ball. Nayeem reviewed the decision, but the ball was shown to be knocking back leg stump.

In the same over, the 76th, it seemed that Maharaj had trapped new batter Nayeem Hasan leg before as he went low to sweep, the ball actually hitting his shoulder. The umpire agreed with the appeal but video footage showed the ball just clearing the stumps.

Maharaj finished the day with 3-105 in 37 overs while Rabada has 4-35 in 15 overs.

BANGLADESH: Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud

SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram (capt), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Ryan Rickelton, Matthew Breetzke, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Piedt

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