Bangladesh v South Africa 2nd Test day 1 review: Proteas in the driving seat

Bangladesh v South Africa 2nd Test day 1 review: Proteas in the driving seat: Soft dismissals of skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib-Al-Hasan late in the day, meant the home side handed over the advantage to the visitors at the end of day one in the second and last Test between Bangladesh and South Africa the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Mirpur.

The day began with the player’s observing a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to veteran South African Clive Rice who died on Tuesday. They wore black armbands to pay their symbolic tribute to the legend. Rain was the most feared event before the match but the predicted showers did not arrive as the clouds dangerously hovered around for most of the morning session. The atmosphere they created did not provide any swing for the Proteas pace battery. Dale Steyn though looked much-improved from the first Test, with more intent and aggression as he searched for wickets.

Steyn took his 400^th Test wicket when Hashim Amla took an easy catch to send back the Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal in the fifth over of the day. The wicket made Steyn the joint fastest seamer to 400 Test wickets, equalling Richard Hadlee’s 80 appearances, and the second fastest overall. He is the second South African to join the 400 club after fellow countryman Shaun Pollock. The second wicket partnership between Imrul Kayes and Mominul Haque (63 runs) looked promising before JP Duminy removed both of them in quick succession after the lunch interval. Mominul tried to cut a delivery which was too close and was caught by wicket-keeper Dane Vilas who was chosen ahead of Quinton de Cock for the game. Kayes was struck in front by a delivery that came in with the arm.

The class divide between the side’s came to surface as the Bangla Tigers failed to seal the initiative when they were in command. South Africans toiled hard and got due rewards. However they will be disappointed with Harmer’s wicket-less spell considering the non regular spinner Duminy looked to cause appreciable discomfort to the home team. Duminy recorded career best figures with 3 wickets in his kitty. Harmer continued to be Bangladesh’s target and the batsmen used their feet, their wrists and their heads to take runs off him.

Steyn almost had the last laugh when Mushfiqur edged trying to steer the ball behind square but Vilas could not hold on. Vernon Philander’s afternoon spell asked questions particularly when he found some movement as the clouds cleared but the heavy air remained. He was denied a wicket he deserved when Mahmudullah, on 18, was given lbw but the batsman reviewed and replays showed an inside edge. Earlier Bangladesh decided to strengthen their batting roping in Nasser Hossain ahead of Taizul Islam. Hossain many believe is in the Moeen Ali mould of spinners who are often underestimated but can surprise the opposition.

After the fall of two quick wickets Bangladesh looked to rebuild and the scoring rate understandably went down. After a while Rahim decided to take the game to the opposition as he played some lofted strokes in order to lift pressure. He found a perfect partner in Mahmudullah who played second fiddle to the skipper. Just when the partnership looked good with both batsmen set for a big one, Mahmudullah failed to keep a wristy flick down and gave an easy catch to Bavuma at short mid-wicket. This brought the number one Test all-rounder and Bangladesh’s favourite son Shakib-Al-Hasan to the crease. He was watchful to begin but soon got into the act. He was particularly severe on the young offie Harmer as he lofted him for two marvellous fours in one over. That prompted Amla to go back to Duminy.

With the pacers not getting any assistance South Africa decided to throw the ball to part-time spinner Dean Elgar. That proved to be a blessing in disguise as Rahim provided the faintest of edges to wicket keeper Vilas. What followed was a swift referral from the skipper as he looked confident the ball had missed his willow. Snicko showed a little mark and that was enough for Paul Riffle to stand with his original decision – out. Rahim didn’t look too impressed as he took the long walk back to the changing room.

The game was now in balance and Bangladesh could ill afford another casualty. And just when everybody thought that wicket keeper Litton Das and Shakib would play sensibly, Das decided to provide something for the camera. Going down on his knee to play the sweep, he somehow managed to scoop the ball to short mid-wicket in what could only be called a tame and non-sensical dismissal.

Nasser Hossain and Shakib showed some application thereafter and safely negotiated the spinners. The next event was inevitably the new ball and to their credit Bangladesh were at ease facing the fiery South African pacers. But their perennial habit of failing to deal with quality bowling came back to haunt them as Morne Morkel bowled a gem of a delivery which squared up Shakib and Elgar accepted the edge in the slips. Steyn then castled Shahid to assert the South African dominance at stumps.

Brief Scores of Bangladesh v South Africa 2nd Test day 1:

Bangladesh – 246/8 , 88.1 overs (stumps) (Mushfiqur Rahim 65, Mominul Haque 40; Dale Steyn 3-30, JP Duminy 3-27)