South Africa achieved their largest-ever Test victory by beating Bangladesh by an innings and 273 runs, culminating in a 2-0 series sweep. Keshav Maharaj’s five wickets in the second innings, alongside Kagiso Rabada’s impressive first-innings performance, were pivotal. Bangladesh’s batting woes continued, leading to their dismissal for 143 in the second innings and marking South Africa’s significant dominance in the series.
In a historic match, South Africa achieved their largest victory in Test cricket by defeating Bangladesh by an innings and 273 runs within a remarkable span of three days, thus completing a 2-0 series sweep. The remarkable performance was spearheaded by Keshav Maharaj, who took five wickets for 59 runs in the second innings, complementing Kagiso Rabada’s outstanding five-wicket haul of 37 runs during the first innings. Bangladesh was dismissed for 143 runs in their second innings, while they had registered 159 runs in their initial batting effort. This win marks a significant achievement for South Africa, surpassing their previous record win of an innings and 254 runs over Bangladesh in 2017. Aiden Markram, serving as the acting captain, expressed pride in the team’s performance, noting, “Very fortunate that we had some special performances along the way that got us into really strong positions, and we were able to apply pressure through that.” He regarded the win as a proud moment for the team, stating, “A proud moment for all of us, absolutely, and one that we’ll reflect back on in the years to come as a special team.” Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto reflected on the inadequacies of the batting lineup, saying, “If the top order doesn’t contribute well, this is the kind of result we’ll get.” Despite efforts from the veteran players, including Najmul and Mushfiqur Rahim, whose performances were below par, the team could not withstand the pressure from South African bowlers. The second innings saw Bangladesh collapse at 78-7 before Hasan Mahmud fought valiantly but ultimately fell short, with Maharaj claiming the final wicket. This victory was highlighted by the fact that South Africa’s first innings saw three players achieve their maiden Test centuries: Tony De Zorzi (177), Tristan Stubbs (106), and Wiaan Mulder (105 not out). It is notable that Bangladesh has never secured a victory against South Africa in 16 Test matches.
The recent Test series between South Africa and Bangladesh showcased a significant disparity in performance levels, with South Africa demonstrating their dominance through both batting prowess and strategic bowling. This series included two matches, both dominated by South African players who not only excelled in individual performances but also displayed a potent team synergy. The match in Chattogram served to highlight the inadequacies in the Bangladeshi batting order, which has struggled historically against South African bowlers. Given that Bangladesh has never won a Test match against South Africa, the results reiterated the challenges faced by the team at the international level.
In summary, the series concluded with South Africa establishing their superiority over Bangladesh with a remarkable innings victory, substantiating their abilities in the Test format. Keshav Maharaj’s stellar performance and the batting feats achieved underscore the challenges faced by Bangladesh, as they look to improve and compete more effectively in future engagements. This series will be remembered as a significant moment in South African cricket history and a pivotal learning experience for the Bangladeshi team.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
