South Africa and Bangladesh clashed in an intense opening Test match that saw both teams putting up a strong fight on the field. The first day of the match was action-packed, with Bangladesh collapsing to 106 all out and South Africa posting 140-6 in reply.
Kagiso Rabada emerged as the star of the day, becoming the fastest bowler in history to reach 300 Test wickets. He celebrated this milestone by taking three crucial wickets, including Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das, as Bangladesh struggled to put up a competitive total.
Rabada’s exceptional performance was supported by Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj, who also took three wickets each to dismantle Bangladesh’s batting lineup. Despite a valiant effort from Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who top-scored with 30 runs, the Bangladeshi batsmen failed to make a significant impact.
In response, South Africa faced early setbacks when Aiden Markram was dismissed for just six runs by Hasan Mahmud. However, Kyle Verreynne and Mulder steadied the ship, ensuring that the visitors took the lead by the end of the day’s play.
The match also saw left-arm spinner Taijul Islam shine for Bangladesh, as he claimed a five-wicket haul to become only the second Bangladeshi bowler to reach 200 Test wickets. Despite the setbacks, Taijul remained optimistic about his team’s chances, stating that the match was still “in our hands” to win.
The Test match marked a significant moment for Bangladesh, as it was their first international fixture since the political upheaval that saw Sheikh Hasina’s government overthrown. With all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan absent due to security concerns, Bangladesh faced a tough challenge against South Africa, a team they have never beaten in a Test match.
As the match heads into the second day, both teams will be looking to gain the upper hand and secure a victory. The second Test is set to take place in Chattogram on October 29, promising more thrilling cricket action for fans around the world.
