Bangladesh v South Africa, 2nd Test match Day 1, 5 talking points

Bangladesh v South Africa, 2nd Test match Day 1, 5 talking points: After a draw in the First test match at Chittagong between Bangladesh and South Africa, today the spotlight shifted to Mirpur as both the teams geared up for the fight of resounding glory in the 2nd Test match. After South Africa’s drubbing in the ODI series, the no.1 ranked test side looked intimidating when Dale Steyn drew the first blood as he transpired to the magical feat of 400 Test wickets. Although, Bangladeshi’s displayed fight but yet when the day ended, Proteas had forged ahead in the game with Bangladesh reeling at 246-8 at the end of the day’s play. Let’s have a look at the 5 Talking points of the 2nd Test match between Bangladesh and South Africa: 1. Dale Steyn 400 Test wickets: Dale Steyn. (Photo Source: AFP) Coming into this match, Dale Steyn’s tally of test wickets was standing at 399 wickets mark. The 32-year old didn’t waste much time as he grasped the wicket of Tamim Iqbal in the fourth over of the day. With the wicket, Dale Steyn carved his name in the history books as the joint fastest entrant in the club of 400 wickets by a fast bowlers. Steyn drew level with Sir Richard Hadlee who had also taken 400 tests wickets in 80 Test matches. In current players, Dale Steyn and James Anderson are the only two pacers to reach the milestone of 400 test wickets. 2. Mushfiqur Rahim’s free flowing knock of 65 runs: Mushfiqur Rahim. (Photo Source: AFP) When the Bangladeshi skipper Rahim came out to bat, the team needed his resilient efforts to put the derailed top-order performances of the team into somewhat steady position. And the captain, like ever, didn’t disappoint his nation as he transformed his experience to play when he put up a worthy fight for the side. Bangladesh was tottering at 86-3 before he shared a 94 run, 4th wicket stand with Mahmudullah to stabilize their innings. This was his 15th half-century in Test cricket to go with 3 tons. After, he perished on 65, the team had already crossed 200 runs mark. 3. Jean-Paul Duminy surprise scalps: JP Duminy. (Photo Source: AFP) Although, Duminy is in the team as a middle-order batsman who can roll over his arm a bit. But, today JP even outclassed the specialist spinner of the Proteas side, Harmer. Duminy grabbed three scalps and all of them were crucial blows on the face of Bangladeshi’s. First he deceived Mominul Haque and then bowled a superb delivery to get rid of Imrul Kayes who padded his delivery and was trapped plumb in front. The wickets taken by Duminy were very significant as both the players were looking ominous for the visitors. Later, in the day JP Duminy struck again as he got better of Litton Das when his quicker ball hurried on to the batsman. 4. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad’s partnership: Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad’s partnership. (Photo Source: AFP) Bangladesh’s World Cup heroes Rahim and Mahmudullah once again proved their grit as they rescued the Bangladesh innings after Duminy had sent back Mominul and Kayes back in the hut in quick succession. The duo battled hard periods of play with sensible batting and they cut loose whenever the Protea bowlers missed their lengths. They added 94 runs for the 4th wicket before Mahmudullah was caught off-guard when he tried to flick Steyn only to get outfoxed by the reverse swing. It was their vigil at the crease which marched their side to a respectable total. 5. Inability of Bangladesh top-order batters to convert their starts: Bangladesh v South Africa 2nd Test day 1. (Photo Source: AFP) In Test cricket, the first 30 balls are regarded as the toughest phase for the batsmen as they take time to adapt to the pitch conditions as well as to get a fair idea about the know-how of the game. After Bangladesh lost an early wicket, the duo of Mominul Haque and Imrul Kayes battled hard and appeared determined to achieve something immense. They had added 69 runs for the 2nd wicket after turmoil of 26.5 overs. But, the same old story prevailed again as they got dismissed in almost no time. With that they not only lost a precious opportunity to pile up big runs for the side after getting accustomed to the conditions but also diminished their chances of posting a big first innings total.