South Africa achieved their largest Test victory by defeating Bangladesh by an innings and 273 runs, culminating in a 2-0 series sweep. Keshav Maharaj led with a five-wicket haul, while Rabada contributed significantly with figures of 5 for 37. Bangladesh struggled with their batting, finishing with low scores in both innings, and has never won a Test match against South Africa in 16 attempts.
In a decisive performance, South Africa achieved their largest Test victory to date, overwhelming Bangladesh by an innings and 273 runs in Chattogram, culminating in a 2-0 series victory on Thursday. The match concluded in just three days, with Keshav Maharaj leading the charge with a remarkable five-wicket haul. Bangladesh, following a meager first-innings total of 159, was bowled out for just 143 in their second innings after being asked to bat again by the South African side. Maharaj’s standout figures of 5 for 59 came on the back of fast bowler Kagiso Rabada’s exceptional display, where he recorded 5 for 37 in the first innings, thus contributing significantly to South Africa’s historic win, besting their previous record of an innings and 254 runs against Bangladesh in 2017. Aiden Markram, the acting captain of the South African team, expressed pride in the team’s accomplishments, stating, “Very fortunate that we had some special performances along the way that got us into really strong positions, and we were able to apply pressure through that.” Additionally, he reflected on the match, saying, “A proud moment for all of us, absolutely, and one that we’ll reflect back on in the years to come as a special team.” The Bangladeshi batting lineup struggled significantly, with key players like Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz failing to make substantial contributions. The skipper of Bangladesh, Najmul, lamented, “Our batting has been like this for a long time. If the top order doesn’t contribute well, this is the kind of result we’ll get.” Notably, Mushfiqur Rahim had a disappointing outing, failing to score in the first innings and managing just two in the second before being dismissed by the leg-spin of Senuran Muthusamy. Maharaj captured Mehidy for a mere six runs, and when Najmul was dismissed, Bangladesh found themselves in dire straits at 78 for 7. Despite Hasan Mahmud’s spirited resistance, scoring 38 runs off 30 balls, it was not enough to avert a heavy defeat as Maharaj knocked over Nahid Rana, sealing victory by taking the last wicket. In their first innings, South Africa displayed outstanding batting, with Tony De Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, and Wiaan Mulder each securing maiden Test centuries. The team concluded their first innings with a formidable total of 575 for 6. South Africa’s opening victory had previously come against Bangladesh, winning by seven wickets. To date, Bangladesh has yet to secure a Test win against South Africa in any of the 16 encounters between the two teams.
This article reports on the recent Test series between South Africa and Bangladesh, highlighting South Africa’s remarkable performance that led to a historic win. The significance of this match lies not only in the margin of victory but also in South Africa’s consistency and dominance over Bangladesh in Test cricket. The various players’ contributions, particularly by Maharaj and Rabada, were critical in achieving this milestone for South Africa. The continuing struggle of the Bangladeshi cricket team in the Test format, especially against stronger rivals like South Africa, is also underscored.
In conclusion, South Africa’s crushing victory over Bangladesh by an innings and 273 runs marks a pivotal moment in their cricketing history, showcasing exceptional individual performances and solid team effort. The match emphasizes the need for Bangladesh to reassess their batting strategies and improve in crucial areas to compete effectively in future Test matches. Significantly, South Africa’s dominance continues, having never lost a Test against Bangladesh in their past encounters.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
