Kagiso Rabada picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in Asia, and registered his third-best bowling figures in an innings overall, as he set up South Africa’s seven-wicket victory in the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Thursday (October 24). Kagiso Rabada‘s 6-46 ensured a quick end to Bangladesh’s innings on Day 4 as they were bowled out for 307, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz scoring a fighting 97.
South Africa took the new ball in Mirpur at the start and quick bowler Kagiso Rabada finished with 6-46 as Bangladesh went from 283-7 to 307 all out, leaving the visitors a victory target of 106. South Africa cruised to a seven-wicket first Test win over Bangladesh Thursday, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Pitch Report and Toss
Pitch Report: The last time a Test match was played here was in December 2023 between Bangladesh and New Zealand. The surface has had time to recover and come to life again. There’s a covering of grass on this surface, there are a bit of cracks as well. There has been weather around and the locals have said that the water table has been high. But, this surface looks dry. The team winning the toss will look to bat and get a mountain of runs on the board, reckons Ed Rainsford
Toss : Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and chose to bat with no Shakib Al Hasan in the playing XI. Aiden Markram who is stand in skipper for Temba Bavuma bowling first bought in Matthew Breetzke in playing XI.
Day 1 : Taijul Islam fifer leads Bangladesh fightback after 106 all out
Just when it seemed like Mahmudul Hasan would be able to steady a batting collapse in the company of Mushfiqur Rahim, the latter was undone by Kagiso Rabada’s incoming delivery that cleaned him up and handed the bowler his 300th Test wicket, making him the fastest to the mark in terms of deliveries.
There was no stop to the flow of wickets thereafter as Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan also perished by Lunch. Mahmudul, who had survived this early collapse and batted through the morning session, adopted a more aggressive approach post Lunch. He took the attack to Dane Piedt. However, after smoking a six over mid wicket and drilling a drive through cover for a boundary, he also departed.
The lower order couldn’t resist for long, but a few boundaries helped them take the team’s score past 100 before Rabada and Maharaj snared the last three wickets.
The start to South Africa’s innings wasn’t too bright either, with Mahmud Hasan sending Aiden Markram packing in the first over itself. Tristan Stubbs counter-attacked early on, punishing the bowlers for erring in line, while also executing a reverse sweep against Mehidy. Taijul fell in the line of attack of Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi early when he erred with his lengths, but once he started bowling slightly fuller, he got his rewards.
Stubbs edged one to slips, David Bedingham edged a delivery that stayed low to the ‘keeper, while Zorzi edged one to Mahmudul at short leg, the same position where the same fielder had earlier dropped Stubbs on 8.
Later in the same over, Matthew Breetzke was undone by a sharply turning delivery that knocked his stumps over, while Ryan Rickelton edged a cut to the ‘keeper as South Africa slid from 72 for 2 to 108 for 6 in a space of less than an hour post Tea. Kyle Verreynne and Mulder braced through the last half an hour of play to help South Africa extend their lead, which was extremely slim at the point of joining the alliance, and went safely to Stumps.
Day 2 : Kyle Verreynne’s ton keeps South Africa in command on Day 2
Mahmudul Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim’s unbeaten 42-run stand steadied Bangladesh and helped them to 101 for 3 at the end of the second day’s play at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Monday. However, South Africa, who were bundled out for 108 earlier in the day, at the back of Kyle Verreynne’s century, continue to hold a commanding position in the first Test, with a 101-run lead.
The overnight duo of Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder kept the Bangladesh bowlers at bay for the first hour and a half, taking advantage of the conditions that had become easier for batting. Having come together on Monday evening with the visitors holding a marginal six-run lead, the duo extended their alliance to 119 runs, helping South Africa firmly take control of the contest.
Verreynne, especially, used the sweep shot to good effect against the spinners while Mulder relied more on striking the ball in front of the wickets. Mulder was dropped on 47, and went on to register his maiden Test fifty, but couldn’t carry on for too long. A few minutes before Lunch, Hasan Mahmud struck twice in two balls to help Bangladesh regain some ground. Mulder got an outside edge to wide slip while Keshav Maharaj was cleaned up.
Nonetheless, Verreynne continued to keep the scoreboard moving in the company of Dane Piedt as the ninth-wicket pair added 66 runs, with Verreynne twice sending the spinners over the mid-wicket fence soon after bringing up his second Test ton.
No.10 Piedt also played his part in the alliance, using his cuts and drives to good effect before eventually getting trapped leg before by Mehidy Hasan on 32. He took a review, but the decision stayed on umpire’s call. Verreynne, who continued to be on the offensive, was eventually undone by Mehidy’s flight, which beat him and Litton Das was quick to have the batter stumped.
The situation only became worse for the hosts in their second innings with Kagiso Rabada striking twice just before Tea. Tony de Zorzi took a brilliant catch at short leg to send back Shadman Islam while Mominul Haque was undone by the extra bounce which caught the edge to third slip. However, despite being firmly on the backfoot, Najmul Shanto didn’t go on the defensive. He was quick on his drives and pulls after the Tea break, going after both Rabada and Mulder. He even stepped out to Keshav Maharaj and lofted him for a six over long off.
There were times that the South African bowlers did trouble the duo; at times hitting them on the pads, at times beating their bat. They survived for a while before Shanto was eventually trapped leg before by Maharaj on 23, bringing to an end a promising 55-run alliance.
However, that was to be the last success of the day for the visitors. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudul were quick to latch on to scoring opportunities. With the lights fading, Mahmudul nearly offered Maharaj a return catch, but the spinner dropped a difficult chance. Stumps were called in the next over owing to poor light, helping Bangladesh take the contest to the third day with still seven wickets in hand.
Day 3 : Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker keep Bangladesh afloat on rain-hit day 3
Mehidy Hasan and Jaker Ali’s 138-run stand for the seventh wicket paved the way for Bangladesh to clear the first innings deficit and head to stumps at 283 for 7 in a rain-marred Day 3 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday. The hosts now hold an 81-run lead with Mehidy still unbeaten on 87.
The day had started on a poor note for Bangladesh, with the hosts losing three batters within the first half an hour of play, leaving the visitors with only the tail to wipe out and a 90-run lead still to cover from the first innings.
Kagiso Rabada had dismissed both the overnight batters – Mahmadul Hasan slashing at a delivery outside off and getting caught at slip, while Mushfiqur Rahim was cleaned up with an incoming delivery for the second time in the Test. Soon enough, Keshav Maharaj induced an outside edge to the ‘keeper to send Litton Das back.
However, what seemed a mere formality for the South Africans thereafter, proved quite challenging with Mehidy and Jaker putting their batting skills to display and offering a solid resistance. The duo nearly wiped out the deficit by Lunch with their calculated aggression against spin and pace alike, and then continued to keep the South Africans at bay for a while post Lunch, and even had them exhaust all their reviews.
Jaker brought up his maiden test fifty by turning a ball down the leg for a boundary off Dane Piedt. Just when boundaries started to flow in the second session, Maharaj had Jaker trapped leg-before with an arm delivery, a decision the batter couldn’t overturn even with a review. Nonetheless, that was the only breakthrough of the session for the visitors. Nayeem Hasan got into the act soon and swept Maharaj from outside off for a boundary. However, Bangladesh couldn’t build on that momentum as rain brought an early end to the post Lunch session.
Only five overs of play were possible after Tea, a period in which Bangladesh managed to add 16 runs to their total, before stumps was called due to poor light. Mehidy had started by stepping out against Aiden Markram and hitting over the in-field for a boundary, but the duo relied on singles and twos thereafter to stretch the eighth wicket partnership to 33 runs.
Day 4 : Kagiso Rabada sets up South Africa’s first Test win in Asia since 2014
South Africa needed just 4.5 overs to bowl Bangladesh out and keep their target to just over 100 after the hosts’ lower-middle order forced the match into a fourth day. Bangladesh’s lead grew to 81 on the third evening when they faced the second new ball for five overs as South Africa were forced to use spinners in fading light. That changed on the fourth morning. The second new ball was available and taken and it had an almost immediate impact.
Kagiso Rabada opened proceedings and his third ball seamed in to Nayeem Hasan and struck him on the front pad. Nayeem’s wicket gave Rabada a 15th Test five-for to cap off a memorable game in which he also took his 300th wicket.
Mehidy moved into the 90s with a boundary off Wiaan Mulder but was tested by Kagiso Rabada, who teased the outside edge and induced an aerial flick that was dropped by Tony de Zorzi. Bangladesh’s 300 came up when Taijul Islam hit Mulder through gully but his fun didn’t last long. Two balls later, he feathered one to second slip to leave Mehidy with the last batter.
He was in a rush to get to his hundred and was on 97 when tried to ramp Kagiso Rabada, but the length was not quite right and he steered the ball to slip instead. Rabada finished with 6 for 46. Bangladesh had added 24 runs to their overnight score and even if they felt they had something to bowl at, South Africa soon showed that was not enough.
Aggression and intent was the tone of final exchanges South Africa hit 15 fours and two sixes, and ticked along at a shave under five runs an over. They lost three of their top four in pursuit but the batters were largely comfortable on unfamiliar surfaces and new No. 3, Tristan Stubbs, who was unbeaten on 30, impressed with his ability to adapt.
With a small total to defend, Bangladesh opened the bowling with their sole seamer Hasan Mahmud and their most successful bowler of the first innings, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam. His first ball was a full toss, which Aiden Markram slashed through extra cover and the take down of Taijul had begun. Three balls later, Markram drove Taijul through the covers and in his next over, Tony de Zorzi took two boundaries off him.
Hasan was more threatening upfront and drew an edge from de Zorzi, which fell short of second slip and Taijul thought he had a breakthrough when he had Markram given out lbw in the eighth over, on 13. Markram missed a sweep and was hit on the pad but reviewed straight away and replays showed he had under edged the ball.
South Africa were undeterred by the incident and de Zorzi finished the over by sweeping Taijul past square leg for four more. The opening pair put on 42 inside 10 overs before Taijul finally had some success. He bowled Markram through the gate, with South Africa still 65 runs away.
De Zorzi and Stubbs shared a stand of 29 in 32 balls and had settled well but de Zorzi became a little too ambitious. He advanced on Taijul to try and hit him out of the ground but dragged the ball to Hasan at long-on. Again, there was no slow-down. Stubbs took 10 runs off the rest of the over.
David Bedingham was done by a good delivery from Taijul that turned away and took the edge and was dismissed with victory nine runs away. Taijul finished with match figures of 8 for 165, after a first-innings five-for.
Kagiso Rabada picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in Asia, and registered his third-best bowling figures in an innings overall, as he set up South Africa’s seven-wicket victory in the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Thursday (October 24).
Kagiso Rabada’s 6-46 ensured a quick end to Bangladesh’s innings on Day 4 as they were bowled out for 307, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz scoring a fighting 97. Needing 106 for victory, South Africa chased it down in 22 overs, with seven wickets in hand, to register their first Test win in Asia since 2014.
Bangladesh, who started the day at 283/7, lost their three remaining wickets for the addition of only 24 runs. Rabada struck in the first over of the day, trapping Nayeem Hasan plumb in front to bag his fifth wicket.
Mehidy continued to fight at the other end as he closed in on the three-figure mark but Bangladesh lost their ninth wicket when Taijul Islam pushed hard at a delivery outside off from Wiaan Mulder and got an outside edge. Mehidy missed out on a well-deserved milestone as he became the last to depart, slicing a catch to Mulder at third slip.
With one eye on the weather, South Africa began the chase in a positive manner, with Aiden Markram striking two fours off Taijul in the second over. Hasan Mahmud kept it tight at his end but Taijul was leaking runs, with Tony de Zorzi and Markram continuing to score boundaries off the left-arm spinner. Taijul thought he had Markram trapped in front but the South Africa captain used the DRS to get the decision overturned, with replays revealing he got some bat when he attempted a sweep.
The openers extended their partnership to 42 before Taijul delivered the breakthrough, having Markram bowled for 20. The dismissal, however, did not slow South Africa down as de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs put on a brisk stand to take the visitors closer. However, de Zorzi was dismissed by Taijul on 41, mistiming one to long-on. David Bedingham and Stubbs struck a six each before the former was caught behind off Taijul. Stubbs finished it off with an unbeaten 30 as South Africa took the lead in the two-match series.
Earlier in the Test, after Bangladesh opted to bat, Kagiso Rabada, Mulder and Keshav Maharaj picked up three wickets between them to bowl the hosts out for 106 in their first innings.
South Africa were reduced to 108/6 in reply before Kyle Verreynne’s 114 and Mulder’s 54 rescued the visitors, helping them finish with 308 to pick up a hefty lead. Bangladesh were reeling at 112/6 in the second innings and while Mehidy and Jaker Ali’s record partnership led a valiant fight, they could only extend their lead to 105, which was chased down by South Africa with ease.
Presentations and Road Ahead
Najmul Hossain Shanto the loosing skipper said : We lost as a team. First of all, we are not pointing out any individual things but we lost as a team. It’s a big plus (on the comeback). We were 200 runs behind but Mehidy Hasan Miraz showed great character to bring us back.
We haven’t done that often in the past and that was a great thing. As a batting group we need to take responsibility against the new ball and as as a bowling group as well we need to show improvement. We need to put in a collective performance as a team in the next Test match.
Aiden Markram the stand in winning skipper said : Really good performance, incredibly tough for the team to put four days of good performance here. The bowlers stepped up and some really good partnerships with the bat to help us get a good lead. Credit to Bangladesh as well, they batted well and put up a good total. It was a really good toss to lose, we would have batted as well. The bowlers bowled really well and did the job for us.
It happens like that in the subcontinent I feel, you lose wickets consecutively. Bangladesh bowled well too. Some good things for us in the first innings as well as in the second innings as well. It’s very pleasing, KG has been doing this since a really long time. For Kyle to come in and step up, it’s great. A hundred for Verreynne is a special thing and he has batted well in the subcontinent conditions.
Kyle Verreynne Player of the Match for his blistering ton said : It was the same thinking we were talking about in the last two months. Just backing my options and wanted to make sure I took the right options. That’s what Wiaan and I looked to do. (On adjusting to the conditions) It’s my first Test in the subcontinent so a new challenge.
But our preparation coming into this series was really good, it worked out for us in this morning. In the subcontinent, getting big partnerships is really important. Piedt batted really well at the end and getting to 300 as a team was important.
There were talks yesterday that if Bangladesh manage to set a target of around 150-160, things could spice up on this sluggish surface. But it was not to be as Kagiso Rabada and Mulder were on song this morning and cleaned the tail up in a jiffy. Bangladesh lost 3 wickets for only 24 runs this morning and set a paltry target of 106 for South Africa to chase down.
The Protea batters came out with intent and even though they lost three wickets in a bid to chase it down quickly, cameos from the top-order ensured that they made light work of this chase. Earlier in the game, Bangladesh chose to bat but were found wanting against seam, swing and turn to get bundled out for 106. SA in reply were in a spot of bother at 108/6 but Mulder’s maiden fifty and Verreynne’s outstanding century on a difficult surface propelled them to a substantial 202-run lead.
Bangladesh put in a much-improved batting performance in their second essay but they were already playing the chasing game. It looked like South Africa will run through the hosts on Day 3 itself but Mehidy and Jaker Ali batted brilliantly to give their side a glimmer of hope. Jaker’s dismissal opened things up before rain and bad light played spoilsport later in the day.
South Africa took the second new ball straightaway this morning and that did the trick for them. Kagiso Rabada was outstanding as he moved the ball both ways, extracted extra bounce off the surface and finished with a 6-fer to put his side into the driver’s seat. There was no scoreboard pressure on the Protea batters and they ticked off 106 runs in just 22 overs.
South Africa have played Tests in Bangladesh just twice in the last 16 years and both matches of their 2015 series were washed out. The last time they won a Test in the country was in 2008, when they won both matches by an innings. The second match in this series starts next Tuesday in Chattogram. Thereafter, South Africa have four home Tests, two each against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. If they win at least four of their remaining five matches, they will be in with a good chance of getting to the WTC final.
South Africa have moved up to fourth place on the World Test Championship table after a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in Mirpur. They chased a target of 106 in 22 overs to seal victory before lunch on the fourth day after Kagiso Rabada finished the match with nine wickets. This was their first Test win in the subcontinent in 15 matches, dating back a decade to when they beat Sri Lanka in Galle in 2014.
WTC Scenario : With this win, South Africa have now jumped to the fourth position in the WTC 2023/25 points table with a PCT of 47.61%. If they win each of their remaining five Tests, they’ll finish at 69.44% (assuming no point-deduction on slow over rates), which will confirm them a top-two finish. Four wins out of five will take them to 61.11%, still putting them in with a great chance, depending on other results featuring India, Australia and Sri Lanka.
So, it’s been a commanding performance from South Africa and they keep themselves well in the hunt for a WTC final spot. They needed to win at least 5 out of their six Test matches ahead of this game and they have crossed the first hurdle with flying colors. This win has propelled SA to fourth position in this cycle’s WTC points table.
If they are able to win their remaining five Tests, that will help them to seal a top-two finish. Even if they they manage to win four out of their five games, they will still have a good chance but will have to depend on other results featuring India, Australia, and Sri Lanka. So, that’s it from our side. There’s an India vs New Zealand Test and a Pakistan vs England Test going on.