South Africa v Bangladesh, 1st Test, Day 3 - 5 Talking Points

Bangladesh is on a quest to prove that they belong at the elite level and showed great mettle on day 3 against the Proteas. Though they failed to take advantage of the brilliant knocks from Mominul Haque and Mahmudullah, they started off brilliantly with the ball, restricting South Africa to 54/2 before bad light stopped day’s play.

Tamim Iqbal didn’t last for a long time on day 3 and after he fell, Mahmudullah stitched crucial partnerships with Sabbir Rahman and Mominul, which took them towards the 300 mark in no time. Yet, the tail failed to resist against the steamy Proteas pacers, which helped them bowl the visitors out for 320 in 89.1 overs.

South Africa had a 176-run first innings advantage, which kept them as the firm favorites to run away with the game. But the openers Aiden Makram and Dean Elgar, who did such a wonderful job in the first innings, failed to replicate anything of that caliber and got dismissed before the team reached the 50 mark. They currently have a 230-run lead over their opponents and only a miracle can prevent them from winning.

Here are the five major talking points of the day

1. Early wickets for the Tigers’ fast bowlers

Not many expected this from the South African batters as they lost their focus in the early phase of their second innings. Dean Elgar and Aiden Makram fell to Shafiul Islam and Mustafizur Rahman respectively, which ignited some hopes in the visitors’ camp. Hashim Amla and Temba Bavuma were tested as well, but they somehow survived the final session without causing further self-damage.

2. Tail falters as Bangladesh miss out on a big score

Bangladesh clearly looked like scoring around about 400 in the first innings, which would’ve kept them firmly in contention for a draw. But their tail failed to resist the music and they lost 5 wickets in a span of just 28 runs. This helped the hosts breath normally after they were made to work really hard by the middle-order.

3. Top class bowling from Maharaj

Bangladesh has few brilliant spinners in Mehidy Hasan and Mahmudullah, but they failed to pick up even a single wicket. The track didn’t provide anything for the spinners, but Keshav Maharaj bowled brilliantly with the with the softer ball and with the cracks slowly opening, he managed to pick up 3 wickets giving away 92 runs.

4. Great perseverance from the Bangla middle-order

Considering a fact that they were 2 wickets down with just 36 on the board, the middle-order had to pull off something sensational and they did so. Led by a quickfire knock from Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, and Mominul Haque notched up brilliant half-centuries. Sabbir Rahman and Tamim Iqbal chipped in with 30+ scores and this helped them finish with a decent score.

5. Four consecutive fifty partnerships

South African bowlers had to really work hard for their wickets initially on day 3. After a period, they ran through them but in between, beginning from the partnership between Mominul and Mushfiqur, they registered four consecutive half-century stands for the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th wicket. Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah, and Sabbir Rahman were the other crucial contributors in this brilliant feat.