Bangladesh faced a catastrophic start in their innings, collapsing to 38-4 against South Africa’s imposing first innings total of 575-6 at Chattogram. The team struggled with early wickets, and three South African batsmen achieved their maiden Test centuries, showcasing a dominant performance from the visitors.
In their response to South Africa’s formidable total of 575-6, Bangladesh found themselves in dire straits at 38-4 at the close of play on the second day of the second and final Test in Chattogram. The hosts lost four wickets within the first seven overs, with play curtailed by bad light. Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto were set to resume batting on the following day, facing a daunting 537-run deficit. South Africa showcased dominant batting, highlighted by three batsmen achieving their maiden Test centuries, including Tony de Zorzi, who was dismissed for an impressive 177 runs. Bangladeshi bowlers struggled early, with Kagiso Rabada striking in the very first over to dismiss Shadman Islam for a duck, followed by Zakir Hasan bowled for just two runs. Mahmudul Hasan Joy managed 10 runs before falling to Dane Paterson, and Hasan Mahmud’s role as a nightwatchman was cut short by a delivery from Keshav Maharaj that deceived him. South Africa’s total stood as their second-highest against Bangladesh, only marginally behind the record of 583-7 established at the same venue in 2008. Wiaan Mulder also contributed significantly with his maiden Test century on a pitch that provided limited assistance to bowlers. Senuran Muthusamy ended the innings not out on 68, supporting the visitors’ impressive total. In the bowling department for Bangladesh, Taijul Islam was a standout performer, claiming three wickets in the morning session, concluding with a five-wicket haul, significantly impacting South Africa’s batting stability. The prior Test match had seen South Africa secure victory within four days, with Kagiso Rabada earning six wickets for 46 runs in the second innings. The historical performance of Bangladesh in Chattogram is concerning, where the team has only achieved two victories in 24 Tests played at this venue, with seven matches yielding no results.
The performance of the Bangladesh cricket team has often been scrutinized, particularly in their home conditions. Chattogram has a rich cricketing history, but the local team has struggled to convert home advantage into wins, as evidenced by their low record of victories in Tests played at this ground. The competitive nature of Test cricket requires a strong response to a high innings total, particularly when faced with dominant bowlers such as South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada, who is known for his impactful performances. Bangladeshi batsmen often face criticism for their inability to withstand early pressure from fierce bowling attacks, as illustrated in this latest Test match.
In conclusion, Bangladesh’s batting woes were evident as they suffered an early collapse against South Africa’s monumental first innings total. The challenges of facing such an imposing target underlined the need for resilience and a strategy shift in their approach to Test cricket, especially in home conditions. As the match advances, it remains crucial for the team to build partnerships and regain composure if they hope to recover from this precarious position.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
