As of Thursday, Bangladesh finds itself at 43-4 and is at risk of an innings defeat to South Africa, who leads the series 1-0. Their recent batting displays fall short after South Africa declared their first innings at 575-6. Bangladesh must overcome a 373-run deficit to avoid losing.
Bangladesh is in a precarious position, currently at 43 for 4 and facing the prospect of an innings defeat against South Africa on Thursday during the third day’s tea break of the second Test match in Chattogram. With a significant deficit of 373 runs, the hosts were all out for 159 in their second batting session, necessitating a follow-on from the South African team, who declared their first innings at 575 for 6 and are currently leading the two-match Test series 1-0. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto remains at the crease with a score of 13 after Zakir Hasan was dismissed for seven runs, falling victim to a stumping by Senuran Muthusamy just before the break. The innings began poorly for Bangladesh, with opener Shadman Islam out for six, edging a delivery from Dane Paterson to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne on his very first ball. Muthusamy’s introduction to the bowling attack was equally effective as Mahmudul Hasan Joy was caught at slip, leaving the Bangladeshis at 29 for 3. Keshav Maharaj further compounded Bangladesh’s troubles by dismissing Mominul Haque, who had previously scored 82 in the first innings, for naught, leaving the team reeling at 48 for 8 before a brief recovery was initiated by the batting order. Rabada played a pivotal role, claiming a five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5 for 37, and demonstrating why he is a significant threat throughout the series. South Africa’s first innings was bolstered by three batsmen achieving maiden Test centuries: De Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, and Wiaan Mulder, showcasing the visitors’ dominance. As the second Test proceeds, South Africa aims to complete a clean sweep of the series following their victory by seven wickets in the first match. Given the historical context, Bangladesh has yet to secure a win against South Africa in their past 15 encounters.
The context of this match lies within a larger series of Test matches between Bangladesh and South Africa, where the latter is currently leading the series 1-0 following a victory in the first Test. The current match in Chattogram has exposed the challenges faced by the Bangladesh team, who are struggling against South African bowling prowess. Notably, Bangladesh is still seeking its first Test victory over South Africa, underscoring the competitive nature of international cricket where both teams aim to assert their dominance. This may also reflect on the broader implications for both teams’ standings in world cricket, particularly in Test match rankings.
In summary, the situation for Bangladesh appears dire as they stand at 43 for 4 in their second innings, trailing South Africa by an alarming 373 runs. With South Africa’s demonstrated strength in their first innings leading to a significant lead, Bangladesh is under pressure to avoid an innings defeat, compounded by their historical struggles against the Proteas. The match highlights the gap in performance and resilience that Bangladesh will need to bridge to achieve success in the international arena.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com