Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s valiant effort wasn’t enough as Bangladesh suffered a seven-wicket defeat to South Africa in the first Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

Miraz, who had helped Bangladesh stave off the threat of an innings defeat, fell agonizingly short of a century, dismissed for 97.

Starting Day 4 at 283/7 with an 81-run lead, Bangladesh aimed to extend their advantage past 200 to put South Africa under pressure, especially with the pitch expected to deteriorate as the day progressed. However, Kagiso Rabada’s lethal pace attack dismantled the hosts' plans. Rabada, already the fastest South African to 300 Test wickets after his 3-26 in the first innings, tore through Bangladesh’s lower order, finishing with 6-39.

Bangladesh lasted only 30 minutes on the fourth morning, adding 24 runs to their overnight total before being bowled out for 307. This left South Africa needing just 106 runs for victory, which they chased down with ease, reaching 106/3 in 22 overs, just before the lunch break.

Bangladesh had earlier been skittled out for 106 in their first innings, and South Africa had replied with 308, taking a commanding 202-run lead. An innings defeat looked imminent, but Miraz resisted with two key partnerships before rain and bad light curtailed Day 3.

Miraz first partnered with debutant Jaker Ali Anik, who scored 58, becoming the 18th Bangladeshi to score a half-century on debut. Their 138-run stand for the seventh wicket was a Bangladesh record. Miraz then added 34 more runs with Nayeem Hasan for the eighth wicket.

South Africa had the new ball available at the end of Day 3 but opted not to take it due to poor light. On the morning of Day 4, they took the new ball, and Rabada struck in his third delivery, trapping Nayeem Hasan leg-before for 16 to complete his 15th Test five-wicket haul.

Wiaan Mulder then removed Taijul Islam for 7, who edged a delivery to second slip, shortly after Bangladesh passed 300. In the next over, Rabada denied Miraz his century, as the all-rounder edged a length ball to slip after a gritty 191-ball innings that included 10 fours and one six.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, who took 5-122 in South Africa’s first innings, claimed all three wickets in their chase, but it was too little, too late.

With rain threatening, South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi made a brisk start, adding 42 runs in 9.5 overs. Taijul broke through by bowling Markram for 20 with a straight delivery and later dismissed de Zorzi for 41, caught by Hasan Mahmud at long-on. Zorzi’s knock included seven boundaries.

Tristan Stubbs contributed 30 off 37 balls, hitting four fours and one six to steer South Africa to victory, though Taijul dismissed David Bedingham for 12 before the end.

The second and final Test of the series begins on October 29 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

BDST: 1344 HRS, OCT 24, 2024
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