Kagiso Rabada picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in Asia, and registered his third-best bowling figures in an innings overall, as he set up South Africa’s seven-wicket victory in the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Thursday (October 24). Rabada’s 6-46 ensured a quick end to Bangladesh’s innings on Day 4 as they were bowled out for 307, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz scoring a fighting 97. Needing 106 for victory, South Africa chased it down in 22 overs, with seven wickets in hand, to register their first Test win in Asia since 2014.
Bangladesh, who started the day at 283/7, lost their three remaining wickets for the addition of only 24 runs. Rabada struck in the first over of the day, trapping Nayeem Hasan plumb in front to bag his fifth wicket. Mehidy continued to fight at the other end as he closed in on the three-figure mark but Bangladesh lost their ninth wicket when Taijul Islam pushed hard at a delivery outside off from Wiaan Mulder and got an outside edge. Mehidy missed out on a well-deserved milestone as he became the last to depart, slicing a catch to Mulder at third slip.
With one eye on the weather, South Africa began the chase in a positive manner, with Aiden Markram striking two fours off Taijul in the second over. Hasan Mahmud kept it tight at his end but Taijul was leaking runs, with Tony de Zorzi and Markram continuing to score boundaries off the left-arm spinner. Taijul thought he had Markram trapped in front but the South Africa captain used the DRS to get the decision overturned, with replays revealing he got some bat when he attempted a sweep.
The openers extended their partnership to 42 before Taijul delivered the breakthrough, having Markram bowled for 20. The dismissal, however, did not slow South Africa down as de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs put on a brisk stand to take the visitors closer. However, de Zorzi was dismissed by Taijul on 41, mistiming one to long-on. David Bedingham and Stubbs struck a six each before the former was caught behind off Taijul. Stubbs finished it off with an unbeaten 30 as South Africa took the lead in the two-match series.
Earlier in the Test, after Bangladesh opted to bat, Rabada, Mulder and Keshav Maharaj picked up three wickets between them to bowl the hosts out for 106 in their first innings. South Africa were reduced to 108/6 in reply before Kyle Verreynne’s 114 and Mulder’s 54 rescued the visitors, helping them finish with 308 to pick up a hefty lead. Bangladesh were reeling at 112/6 in the second innings and while Mehidy and Jaker Ali’s record partnership led a valiant fight, they could only extend their lead to 105, which was chased down by South Africa with ease.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 106 (Mahmudul Hasan Joy 30; Wiaan Mulder 3-22, Kagiso Rabada 3-26) & 307 (Mehidy Hasan Miraz 97, Jaker Ali 58; Kagiso Rabada 6-46, Keshav Maharaj 3-105) lost to South Africa 308 (Kyle Verreynne 114, Wiaan Mulder 54; Taijul Islam 5-122, Hasan Mahmud 3-66) & 106/3 (Tony de Zorzi 41, Tristan Stubbs; Taijul Islam 3-43) by 7 wickets.
