Tigers look for a sizeable lead
Riyad believes batters should grab the chance
Sports Reporter, Ctg
Bangladesh stood on a good chance on day two of the first Test to establish an absolute dominance over South Africa, showing a patience to deal the worlds best bowling attack with right acumen but losing wickets at crucial moment hindered the progress and kept the game in the balance.
The first session of the second day was considered as decisive for Bangladesh in setting up the momentum to which they responded well, surviving a testing first hour when Dale Steyn and company was bowling with full aggression and determination.
Openers duo Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes dealt them in unwavering resolve and prevented the side from losing any wicket at least in the first hour. As it seemed both of the batsmen set in the crease properly, Kayes was the first batsman out for 26, stumped when taking a casual approach to an innocuous ball from medium pacer Stiaan Van Zyl. Off-spinner Simon Harmer then knocked out Mominul Haques (6) off stump with a quicker delivery, to leave Bangladesh 55 for two. After losing two wickets for nine runs, it needed a special effort to return to the game. The pair of Tamim and Mahmudullah Riyad provided the impetus which Bangladesh wanted at that juncture. They were in their supreme best, forcing South African bowlers toiling in vain even though rotated the scoreboard slowly.
Bangladesh scored 179 for four in 67 overs at a scoring rate of 2.67 per over.
Despite bowling them out for 248, we knew our job wouldnt be so easy since they got a world class bowling attack. They were not giving any space and a chance to play the shots. We know we have to watchful, Mahmudullah Riyad told the reporters after the second days play.
Wicket was not so good to bat on. They also made the task tough for us by putting the ball in right spot. When me and Tamim was batting, our target was to make the partnership bigger but unfortunately Tamim got out.
Despite the dismissal of Tamim, Bangladesh were still in a position of dominance with Riyad nicely rooting to the crease. According to South African bowling coach Charles Langveldt he batted unbelievably well. His technique, specially the backfoot punch, to deal with the South African famed fast bowling trio was a pleasing experience indeed.
Ahead of going to Australia for the World Cup, Bangladesh practiced in stone slab to be comfortable with the pace and bounce. That experience however gave Riyad a chance to handle the highly rated pacers well.
After scoring slowly throughout the day, Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim showed the urgency to press towards lead but the big blow came right at that moment.
He tried to flick a fuller-length delivery of Vernon Philander but was caught plumb on his front knee.
I am very disappointed to be out at this stage. I knew rain could come at any moment so I aim to be unbeaten before the play is stopped.
Riyad however still believed the game is 60-40 in their favour since there was a hint that the pitch could break at some stage of the Test.
I think the match is 60-40 or 65-35 in our favour. Our batting line up is long and we have got an opportunity. So we have to grab it.
I think everybody will give their best. The first session of the third day would be important to determine whether we could earn a sizeable lead and the way pitch behave, I think it could break and we have the spinners to exploit it.
SCOREBOARD
South Africa 1st innings: 248
Bangladesh 1st innings (7-0 overnight):
Tamim b Elgar 57
I Kayes st de Kock b van Zyl 26
Mominul b Harmer 6
M Riyad lbw b Philander 67
Mushfiqur not out 16
Shakib not out 1
Extras (lb 5, nb1) 6
Total (for four; 67 overs) 179
Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-55, 3-144, 4-178.
BOWLING O M R W
D Steyn 13 3 46 0
V Philander 12 1 22 1
M Morkel 11 2 28 0
S Harmer 19 3 59 1
S van Zyl 9 2 13 1
D Elgar 3 0 6 1
