Bangladesh struggled significantly, finishing the second day at 38-4 in response to South Africa’s towering 575-6. Their batting collapse occurred in just seven overs, after South Africa’s three players marked maiden Test centuries, led by Tony de Zorzi. The hosts have a considerable deficit, trailing by 537 runs with play concluding early due to bad light.
In a disappointing performance, Bangladesh found themselves reeling at 38-4 in their batting reply to South Africa’s impressive first innings total of 575-6 by stumps on the second day of the second and final Test match in Chattogram. After a mere seven overs of play, Bangladesh’s top-order faced a complete collapse, with Mominul Haque (six) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (four) leaving the field with the team still trailing by 537 runs. Meanwhile, the South African batsmen showcased remarkable skill, with three players achieving their maiden Test centuries, including Tony de Zorzi’s commendable score of 177 before lunch. Kagiso Rabada initiated the Bangladesh downfall early, dismissing Shadman Islam for a duck in his first over. Following that, Zakir Hasan edged a delivery from Rabada to the wicketkeeper, falling for two runs. Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who was the highest scorer for Bangladesh at that moment with only ten runs, also succumbed to Dane Paterson’s bowling. Hasan Mahmud entered the crease as an intended nightwatchman but was caught off guard by Keshav Maharaj’s spin, ending his innings prematurely. Notably, South Africa’s current total marks their second-highest against Bangladesh, second only to their record of 583-7 achieved at the same venue in 2008. In South Africa’s innings, Wiaan Mulder (105 not out) made significant contributions alongside De Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs (106), with Muthusamy also being unbeaten at 68 during the innings. The day witnessed a particular highlight as left-arm spinner Taijul Islam managed to dismiss three batsmen within a mere three overs, securing his second five-wicket haul of the ongoing series and disrupting South Africa’s batting rhythm as they looked to assert dominance. Despite this, South Africa’s batting display proved to be overwhelmingly strong, as evidenced by their earlier victory in the opening Test.
The context for this cricket match centers on Bangladesh’s struggles in their ongoing Test series against South Africa. Despite having hosted numerous matches in Chattogram, Bangladesh has historically performed poorly against formidable opponents like South Africa, evident by their minimal wins at this location. The performance metrics highlighted in this match underscore the challenges faced by Bangladesh in countering a robust South African batting lineup, leading to their alarming position after just two days of play. Furthermore, the contrast in batting capabilities, as demonstrated by South Africa’s players amassing centuries, illustrates the heightening levels of competition in international cricket.
In summary, Bangladesh’s faltering performance against South Africa in the second Test reveals significant weaknesses in their batting order and emphasizes the visitors’ batting prowess. With their score at a troubling 38-4 and facing a hefty deficit of 537 runs, Bangladesh must address their vulnerabilities promptly to salvage the remainder of the match. Meanwhile, South Africa’s strong showing, highlighted by multiple centuries, continues to reinforce their status as a dominant force in international cricket.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
