Kagiso Rabada struck twice as Bangladesh was reduced to 19 for 2 at Tea on Day 2 after South Africa posted 308, the back of Kyle Verreynne’s second Test century. The visitors need eight wickets to win, with an 183-run advantage against Bangladesh.
The lower order held the Bangladeshi bowlers at bay for longer than expected. Verreynne, who had led South Africa through the final 30 minutes of play on Monday night and then batted out the morning session on Tuesday, continued to be crucial for the visitors.
Dane Piedt, who had joined Verreyne late in the morning session, put on a 72-run stand with the wicketkeeper-batter. Without taking many risks, on a surface where batting had become considerably easy, the duo kept working around the gaps to keep the scoreboard moving. Verreynne kept employing the sweeps to good effect, much like he had done in the morning session.
Soon after bringing up his century, Verreynne slammed the first six innings, hitting Nayeem Hasan over deep mid-wicket. However, soon enough, Mehidy Hasan – trapped Piedt’s leg earlier – had Verreynne stumped.
However, South Africa had already established a massive 202-run lead, which Rabada reinforced by dismissing Mominul Haque and Shadman Islam early on. The extra bounce that took the outer edge of the bat and went right to Wiaan Mulder at slips undid Mominul, and Tony de Zorzi’s brilliant catch at short leg sent Shadman packing.
Earlier in the day, a 119-run stand between Mulder and Verreynne had ensured that South Africa take firm control in the contest despite the twin strikes of Mahmud Hasan.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 106 (Mahmudul Hasan 30; Wiaan Mulder 3-22, Kagiso Rabada 3-26, Keshav Maharaj 3-34) & 19/2 trail South Africa 308 (Kyle Verreynne 114, Wiaan Mulder 54; Taijul Islam 5-122) by 183 runs.
