South Africa extended their dominance in the second Test in Chattogram and they are in pole position to make it 2-0. Three batters racked up hundreds while a couple of others notched up half-centuries. South Africa racked up 575/6 and declared the innings before the bowlers picked up four wickets in just nine overs to further strengthen their position.
Tony de Zorzi and David Bedingham continued from where they left off on the first day. The duo stitched a 106-run stand and took South Africa close to 400. They struck boundaries regularly and rotated strike really well. Bedingham reached his third Test fifty while de Zorzi went past the 150-run mark.
It was once again Taijul Islam who broke the partnership as he knocked over Bedingham. The latter tried to slog sweep and was bowled. A couple of overs later, Taijul had de Zorzi LBW for 177 before he dismissed Verreynne for a duck. Taijul completed a five-wicket haul as Bangladesh tried to make a comeback in the Test match.
Ryan Rickelton didn’t last long either as he edged one to the keeper off Nahid Rana soon after lunch. South Africa lost four wickets for 37 runs. It seemed like the hosts were finally turning up in this second Test. However, Wiaan Mulder and Senuran Muthusamy killed all their hopes.
The Mulder-Muthusamy pair added a superb 152-run partnership for the 7th wicket which was unbroken. And it came in just 31 overs. Either batter barely offered a chance to Bangladesh as they batted without a great deal of difficulty. Mulder got to his maiden Test hundred while Muthusamy who is featuring in a Test match after one and a half years raised his maiden fifty.
Once Mulder reached the landmark, South Africa declared on 575/6. Bangladesh had a tricky period to see off at the end of the second day. However, the South African bowlers came out all guns blazing.
South Africa blow away Bangladesh top order
Kagiso Rabada had Shadman Islam feathering one to the keeper in the very first over of the innings before Zakir Hasan followed suit in the fifth over. Dane Paterson struck soon after, sending Mahmudul Hasan Joy back for just 10. Keshav Maharaj came in and struck in his first over, knocking over the night watchman Hasan Mahmud.
The light faded quickly and forced early stumps on day two as well. Bangladesh are reeling at 38/4. 13 of those have come in extras. South Africa were penalized five runs as Muthusamy ran straight down the pitch. Then Rabada bowled a no-ball which went for four byes. There were a couple of other no-balls as well.
Bangladesh are staring down the barrel. They need a mammoth effort if they have to stay alive in this Test match. South Africa are firm favourites to wrap up this game quickly.
BRIEF SCORES: South Africa 575/6 decl. (Tony de Zorzi 177, Tristan Stubbs 106, Wiaan Mulder 105*, Taijul Islam 5/198) vs Bangladesh 38/4 (Mahmudul Hasan Joy 10, Kagiso Rabada 2/8, Keshav Maharaj 1/4).
