Rain halts Tigers� steady progress in Ctg Test

The first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa remains evenly poised after torrential rain ruined Bangladesh’s chances of pressing towards a lead. Bangladesh were 179 for four, trailing South Africa by 69 runs, before a heavy shower forced an early end to the second day’s play—25 overs before the scheduled time—at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong yesterday.
It could have been a day of dominance for Bangladesh if most of their batsmen did not perish to the South African part-time bowlers by playing atrocious shots. Like South Africa, Bangladesh also struggled to score fluently on a slower pitch but managed not to lose their wickets in a cluster.
The dismissal of Mahmudullah Riyad just four balls before the rain stopped the game for the first time, prevented Bangladesh from making the most of their situation. The play then resumed for only one ball, which Shakib used to get off the mark.
Much will now depend on Shakib and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim who is at the crease with 16.
Opener Tamim Iqbal scored 57, his 18th Test fifty, and together with Riyad brought up their first career half-centuries against against South Africa.
Bangladesh, resuming the day with seven for no loss, remained watchful throughout the day in reply to South Africa’s 248. Bangladesh batsmen, however, threw their wickets at crucial moments. Imrul Kayes was the first batsman out for 26. He was stumped when showing a casual approach to an innocuous ball from medium pacer Stiaan Van Zyl. Imrul and Tamim struck a 46-run partnership and showed steely resolve while dealing with the pace of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, the famous triumvirate of South African fast bowlers.
Off-spinner Simon Harmer then knocked out Mominul Haque’s (6) off stump with a quicker delivery to leave Bangladesh 55 for two. After losing two wickets for nine runs, Tamim and Riyad steadied the innings and forced South African bowlers to toil hard. As they grew in confidence, Dean Elgar, an occasional left-arm spinner, broke their stand by bowling Tamim, who missed an attempted sweep and lost his leg stump. Tamim’s patience during his 129-ball stay was key in handling the South African fast bowlers, who operated tirelessly to make a breakthrough. Tamim hit just three fours in his fourth slowest half-century.

After Tamim's dismissal, Philander came back to claim Riyad's wicket. He tried to flick a fuller-length delivery but was caught plumb on his front knee. He struck 10 boundaries in 138 balls en route to his 67.
Riyad was dismissed just when he and Mushfiqur started to charge the tired bowlers to accelerate the scoreboard. The captain made his side’s intention clear by hitting Simon Harmer for a six over long-on, which was the first six in the Test.
Dean Elgar, Stiaan Van Zyl, Vernon Philander, and Simon Harmer shared the wickets.

Rain halts Tigers� steady progress in Ctg Test

The first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa remains evenly poised after torrential rain ruined Bangladeshs chances of pressing towards a lead. Bangladesh were 179 for four, trailing South Africa by 69 runs, before a heavy shower forced an early end to the second days play25 overs before the scheduled timeat Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong yesterday. It could have been a day of dominance for Bangladesh if most of their batsmen did not perish to the South African part-time bowlers by playing atrocious shots. Like South Africa, Bangladesh also struggled to score fluently on a slower pitch but managed not to lose their wickets in a cluster. The dismissal of Mahmudullah Riyad just four balls before the rain stopped the game for the first time, prevented Bangladesh from making the most of their situation. The play then resumed for only one ball, which Shakib used to get off the mark. Much will now depend on Shakib and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim who is at the crease with 16. Opener Tamim Iqbal scored 57, his 18th Test fifty, and together with Riyad brought up their first career half-centuries against against South Africa. Bangladesh, resuming the day with seven for no loss, remained watchful throughout the day in reply to South Africas 248. Bangladesh batsmen, however, threw their wickets at crucial moments. Imrul Kayes was the first batsman out for 26. He was stumped when showing a casual approach to an innocuous ball from medium pacer Stiaan Van Zyl. Imrul and Tamim struck a 46-run partnership and showed steely resolve while dealing with the pace of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, the famous triumvirate of South African fast bowlers. 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, Tamim and Riyad steadied the innings and forced South African bowlers to toil hard. As they grew in confidence, Dean Elgar, an occasional left-arm spinner, broke their stand by bowling Tamim, who missed an attempted sweep and lost his leg stump. Tamims patience during his 129-ball stay was key in handling the South African fast bowlers, who operated tirelessly to make a breakthrough. Tamim hit just three fours in his fourth slowest half-century. After Tamims dismissal, Philander came back to claim Riyads wicket. He tried to flick a fuller-length delivery but was caught plumb on his front knee. He struck 10 boundaries in 138 balls en route to his 67. Riyad was dismissed just when he and Mushfiqur started to charge the tired bowlers to accelerate the scoreboard. The captain made his sides intention clear by hitting Simon Harmer for a six over long-on, which was the first six in the Test. Dean Elgar, Stiaan Van Zyl, Vernon Philander, and Simon Harmer shared the wickets.