Bangladesh’s batting lineup struggled significantly against South Africa, managing only 38-4 in reply to a mammoth first innings total of 575-6. Key bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj dismantled the hosts’ batting, while Taijul Islam shone with the ball for Bangladesh. South Africa’s total also includes three maiden Test centuries, emphasizing their dominance in the match.
In a struggling response to South Africa’s commanding first innings total of 575-6, Bangladesh faltered to 38-4 at the close of play on the second day of the second and final Test in Chattogram. The hosts faced severe difficulties as poor lighting brought an early halt to the match, leaving Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto to resume batting on the following day. Currently, Bangladesh trails by 537 runs after the visitors’ remarkable performance, which included three batsmen scoring their maiden Test centuries. Kagiso Rabada initiated Bangladesh’s collapse with a wicket in his very first over, dismissing Shadman Islam, who was caught behind for a duck. Zakir Hasan followed shortly after, managing only two runs before edging another Rabada delivery to the wicketkeeper. Mahmudul Hasan Joy managed the highest score for Bangladesh with just 10 runs before being out to Dane Paterson. Hasan Mahmud, designated as the nightwatchman, also fell victim to the spinners, deceived by sharp turn from Keshav Maharaj. South Africa’s total marked their second-highest against Bangladesh, only trailing their score of 583-7 achieved at the same venue in 2008. The innings was bolstered by Wiaan Mulder achieving his maiden Test century, and Senuran Muthusamy’s aggressive 68 off 75 balls helped solidify their dominance. The only wicket to fall in the latter stages of South Africa’s innings came when Ryan Rickelton was caught behind for 12 runs. In stark contrast, Bangladesh’s bowling attack saw Taijul Islam claim three wickets in one morning session, achieving his second five-wicket haul of the series. Taijul’s breakthrough came when he bowled David Bedingham, concluding a substantial partnership of 116 runs with Tony de Zorzi, who ultimately scored 177 after a fierce innings. The opening Test saw South Africa triumph decisively, with Rabada securing six wickets in the second innings. Notably, Bangladesh has participated in 24 Tests at Chattogram, yet their record remains disappointing with only two victories and seven draws. As Bangladesh continues to struggle, the battle to recover from this deficit amidst such dominant gameplay from South Africa remains a daunting challenge.
This article highlights Bangladesh’s dismal performance in the second Test against South Africa, reflecting their inability to contend with a formidable first innings total set by the visitors. The match underscores the challenges faced by the Bangladeshi batting lineup against South Africa’s experienced bowling attack, particularly Rabada and Maharaj, while also noting the record performance of the South African batsmen, showcasing their dominance in the game. Additionally, it provides context regarding Bangladesh’s historical struggles at home in Test matches, exacerbating the current situation.
In conclusion, Bangladesh’s significant deficit of 537 runs against South Africa following a remarkably low batting score of 38-4 highlights the stark challenges they face as the Test progresses. The visitors not only dominated with the bat but also showcased their bowling prowess, leaving Bangladesh with the arduous task of recovering. As history has shown, the likelihood of overcoming such a deficit remains slim, especially given Bangladesh’s previous records in Chattogram.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
