Tigers post highest total against SA

Litton, Shakib ensure Bangladesh take first innings lead Sports Reporter, Ctg

The South African openers weathered Bangladesh after the hosts posted their highest Test innings score against the Proteas on the third day of the first Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Thursday.
The hosts scored 326 runs in their first innings, to move 78 runs clear of South Africa – the biggest lead batting second in their 92-Test history. But South African openers, Stiaan Van Zyl and Dean Elgar, batted with steely resolve to help the side reduce the deficit to 17 runs.
Before the rains brought a premature end to the day, the visitors had reached 61 for no loss with Van Zyl and Elgar remaining undefeated on 33 and 27 runs respectively. Bangladesh bowlers failed to make headway, unlike in South Africa’s first innings, giving away too much width, only to help the visiting opening pair.
The hosts rode on the back of three half-centuries to gain the first innings advantage. Mahmudullah Riyad scored the highest 67 runs. Tamim Iqbal made 57, while Litton Das brought up his maiden Test 50. This is the first instance of three Bangladeshi batsmen scoring half centuries against South Africa in nine Test matches.
Resuming the day at 179 for four, Bangladesh suffered a blow when Mushfiqur Rahim was removed in the fifth over for 28. The initial lbw appeal by Dale Steyn was turned down, but South Africa made a successful video review.
Mushfiqur’s dismissal receded the hopes of gaining a lead, but Shakib Al Hasan and Das ensured that Bangladesh managed a first innings lead for the 16th time (11 times batting first and 5 times batting second), sharing a 82-run partnership. They were solid and methodical in their approach. Steyn swung the ball both ways, but got little from a pitch offering scant assistance to bowlers.
Just when it seemed Bangladesh would dominate the visitors, Shakib threw away his wicket by playing a loose shot, leaving the crowd bewildered.
With a lead of just 29 runs, it was still a long way from asserting control in the match; he tried to pull off-spinner Simon Harmer, only to get a top-edge as JP Duminy completed a simple catch at short mid-wicket. A similar shot earlier in the over almost cost his wicket, but he didn’t seem to learn from his mistake. Before playing the rash shot, Shakib was thoroughly watchful, making 47 off 114 with four fours.
Shakib’s dismissal raised South Africa’s hope of restricting Bangladesh to slender lead, but Mohammad Shahid surprised them with his unorthodox shots. He struck three fours and one six to smash a 19-ball 25 and extended the lead.  His quick knock helped Bangladesh cross the 300 runs mark for the first time against South Africa to complete the cycle of scoring 300 runs at least in an innings against every Test-playing nations. Vernon Philander eventually stopped him to get the side back on track. Litton Das, playing only his second Test, showed a maturity in leading the lower order. He was calm during his stay at the crease, but Harmer’s sharp off-break broke his stubborn resistance after he reached his maiden 50, which contained seven hits to the boundary.

Tigers post highest total against SA

Litton, Shakib ensure Bangladesh take first innings lead Sports Reporter, Ctg

The South African openers weathered Bangladesh after the hosts posted their highest Test innings score against the Proteas on the third day of the first Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Thursday. The hosts scored 326 runs in their first innings, to move 78 runs clear of South Africa the biggest lead batting second in their 92-Test history. But South African openers, Stiaan Van Zyl and Dean Elgar, batted with steely resolve to help the side reduce the deficit to 17 runs. Before the rains brought a premature end to the day, the visitors had reached 61 for no loss with Van Zyl and Elgar remaining undefeated on 33 and 27 runs respectively. Bangladesh bowlers failed to make headway, unlike in South Africas first innings, giving away too much width, only to help the visiting opening pair. The hosts rode on the back of three half-centuries to gain the first innings advantage. Mahmudullah Riyad scored the highest 67 runs. Tamim Iqbal made 57, while Litton Das brought up his maiden Test 50. This is the first instance of three Bangladeshi batsmen scoring half centuries against South Africa in nine Test matches. Resuming the day at 179 for four, Bangladesh suffered a blow when Mushfiqur Rahim was removed in the fifth over for 28. The initial lbw appeal by Dale Steyn was turned down, but South Africa made a successful video review. Mushfiqurs dismissal receded the hopes of gaining a lead, but Shakib Al Hasan and Das ensured that Bangladesh managed a first innings lead for the 16th time (11 times batting first and 5 times batting second), sharing a 82-run partnership. They were solid and methodical in their approach. Steyn swung the ball both ways, but got little from a pitch offering scant assistance to bowlers. Just when it seemed Bangladesh would dominate the visitors, Shakib threw away his wicket by playing a loose shot, leaving the crowd bewildered. With a lead of just 29 runs, it was still a long way from asserting control in the match; he tried to pull off-spinner Simon Harmer, only to get a top-edge as JP Duminy completed a simple catch at short mid-wicket. A similar shot earlier in the over almost cost his wicket, but he didnt seem to learn from his mistake. Before playing the rash shot, Shakib was thoroughly watchful, making 47 off 114 with four fours. Shakibs dismissal raised South Africas hope of restricting Bangladesh to slender lead, but Mohammad Shahid surprised them with his unorthodox shots. He struck three fours and one six to smash a 19-ball 25 and extended the lead. His quick knock helped Bangladesh cross the 300 runs mark for the first time against South Africa to complete the cycle of scoring 300 runs at least in an innings against every Test-playing nations. Vernon Philander eventually stopped him to get the side back on track. Litton Das, playing only his second Test, showed a maturity in leading the lower order. He was calm during his stay at the crease, but Harmers sharp off-break broke his stubborn resistance after he reached his maiden 50, which contained seven hits to the boundary.