Bangladesh Faces Early Collapse Against South Africa in Second Test

Bangladesh struggled significantly to respond to South Africa’s total of 575 for 6, ending day two at 38 for 4. The South African side featured three players scoring maiden Test centuries, while Bangladesh’s early losses in their innings raised concerns about their performance. Taijul Islam took three wickets for Bangladesh, highlighting the team’s defensive efforts despite a challenging start.

In a disappointing start to their innings, Bangladesh found themselves at 38 for 4 in response to South Africa’s daunting total of 575 for 6 at the conclusion of day two of the second and final Test in Chattogram. The hosts’ plight was evident as they lost their first four wickets within the span of just seven overs, with play halted prematurely due to bad light. Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto were set to resume batting on the following day, trailing South Africa by 537 runs after a commanding display from the visiting team. South Africa’s batting was highlighted by three batsmen achieving their maiden Test centuries, including Tony de Zorzi, who scored 177 runs before retiring. De Zorzi commented on their approach, stating, “We have found different ways of scoring in different conditions, so I would not say we have struggled. Once you are in, it is about your decision-making and your ability to stay focused and stay in your game plan. It is about identifying what is working on the wicket against certain bowlers.” Kagiso Rabada initiated Bangladesh’s downfall by taking out Shadman Islam for a duck in his very first over. Zacir Hasan followed shortly after, caught behind off another Rabada ball, scoring just two runs. Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who top-scored for Bangladesh with 10 runs, managed to edge a delivery from Dane Paterson to slip. Hasan Mahmud, positioned as a nightwatchman, was deceived by the spin from Keshav Maharaj during his first over. South Africa’s formidable total marked their second-highest score against Bangladesh, closely following the 583 for 7 achieved in the same venue in 2008. In the South African innings, Wiaan Mulder and Tristan Stubbs also contributed significantly, both securing hundreds, with Mulder reaching an impressive 105 not out and Stubbs finishing with 106. Additionally, Senuran Muthusamy played a valuable role, remaining unbeaten at 68 off 75 balls. Emphasizing the need for improvement, Bangladesh’s spin coach Mushtaque Ahmed remarked how the team cannot rationalize their early loss of wickets as fatigue from a lengthy batting session. He asserted, “That is not how a professional team should think. They should work hard as much as they can.” Taijul Islam was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, taking three wickets within a brief span, showcasing his ability to adapt to the flat track conditions. In earlier matches, South Africa had also demonstrated their strength, winning the first Test decisively, where Rabada claimed six wickets in a single innings. Historically, Bangladesh struggles in Chattogram, having only won two out of 24 Tests played at the venue, with seven matches resulting in draws.

The article discusses the ongoing cricket Test match between Bangladesh and South Africa held in Chattogram, Bangladesh. The performance of the Bangladeshi team is evaluated against the backdrop of a challenging innings from the South African side, who amassed a substantial total of 575 for 6. The article provides insights into both the batting struggles of the Bangladesh team in their response to this total and highlights the achievements of South African batsmen, particularly their strategy and execution during play. The commentary from players and coaches adds depth to the analysis of the game and the expectations for professional cricket performance.

In summary, Bangladesh’s cricket team faced a severe challenge against South Africa in their ongoing Test match, struggling to respond effectively to a formidable first innings total. The loss of early wickets highlighted the difficulties they faced, and while South African players showcased their batting prowess, Bangladeshi bowlers did put up a fight, particularly through Taijul Islam. The outcome of the match hangs in the balance as Bangladesh looks to recover in the subsequent innings to avoid defeat.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr