Brief Score Card:
South Africa 248 All Out (T Bavuma 54, F du Plessis 48, D Elgar 47, Mustafizur Rahman 4/37, Jubair Hossain 3/53) Bangladesh 179/4 (Mahmudullah Riyad 67, Tamim Iqbal 57, Imrul Kayes 26, Mushfiqur 16*)

Match Report:

Dark grey cloud was covering the sky most of the day but the heaven opened up only after tea on the second afternoon at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. Rain digested most of the play after tea. When play was called off for the day advantage was with Bangladesh.

At 179/4 responding to South Africa’s first innings total of 248 all out one cannot say that the tigers are in total command. Yet with two of their most experienced and accomplished batsmen Mushfiqur and Shakib at the wicket Bangladesh has 60-40 advantage.

The wicket is getting slower and lower. If Bangladesh can manage a lead of 100 the spinners in the second innings and mysterious Mustafiz will take real test of skills of South African. Bangladesh still has to bat at least two full sessions till tea on the third day. The important pair at the wicket and Litton, who is a regular run getter in domestic cricket as opener, have to apply themselves.

Bangladesh started well on the second day against a very potent South African bowling attack. There were far more discretion in stroke playing on a difficult wicket. Off the two, Kayes was looking a bit more enterprising. Usually flamboyant Tamim curbed his natural instinct. The pair successfully negotiated Steyn, Morkel and Philander in the first hour. Desperate for a break through Amla brought his part-timer bowling option van Zyl. The opening batsman of South African presented his captain with much sought after break through Kayes was brilliantly stumped off the bowling of the part timer.

From the other end off-spinner SR Hammer started getting appreciable turn. Mominul before getting set tried to play an aggressive stroke and paid heavily. In his attempted cut to a ball too close he missed the line completely; the ball turned and disturbed his furniture. Bangladesh at 55/2 started looking shaky. Tamim and Mahmudullah steadied the ship playing each ball to their merit. Their third wicket partnership of 89 runs set up new record for Bangladesh in bilateral series. But more importantly it stabilized the innings eliminating the possibility of South Africa-like collapse.

Tamim went on scoring yet another patient half century. But when a larger partnership was in view another part-timer opening batsman Elgar delivered for his skipper Amla. Tamim trying to sweep his full toss delivery mistimed and was played on. Only the 5th time in test history two opening batsmen of a side removed the two openers of the opposing team. Losing Tamim at a crucial stage Bangladesh innings lost a bit of momentum. Mushfiqur joined Mahmudullah. They are the most ideal Bangladeshi test batsmen. They were looking solid in rotating strokes and developing innings. Mushfiqur was looking in vintage touch. He played three glorious strokes, one of which was striking Hammer out of the park. When the sun just started shining on the partnership Philander brought back in the attack after tea trapped Mahmudullah in front. His solid innings of 67 could not prosper further. Rain came and only one ball could be bowled when play resumed in between. Shakib and Mushfiqur will have to resume on day three with Bangladesh still trailing by 69 runs. We believe Bangladesh lost one wicket too many.

Shakib and Mushfiqur are two of the better accomplished batsmen at the wicket. Much will depend on this pair as after Litton Bangladesh has a long tail. The wicket is not playing easy. Ball is not coming at the bat. Steyn got some reverse. A brilliant spell of the top pacer is expected any time. The second new ball will be due after only 13 overs. Shakib-Mushfiqur must stay and see off at least till the deficit is wiped off and second new ball in initial overs are negotiated. It will be useful to have Litton Das available when Amla will definitely opt for it as soon as it is due.

There is lot to play in the test yet. As said earlier, Bangladesh lost one wicket too many. This team has a longer tail. Taizul and Shahid can bat a bit. But Jubair and Mustafiz are ten and jack. All will depend on Shakib, Mushfiqur and Litton if Bangladesh has to get a significant lead of 100 or so.

Off the five sessions and a bit played so far advantage definitely belonged to Bangladesh. With 6 wickets in hand Bangladesh is trailing by 69 runs. But test cricket changes hue. Pre-lunch session on day three will indicate which way the test will be heading. A lead of 100 will give Bangladesh head on start in the second innings.

We have noticed undue murmuring in social media about team selection and mostly about non-inclusion of emerging batting star Soumya Sarkar. He is a top order brilliant stroke maker. But the top six Batsmen in Bangladesh test team Tamim, Kayes, Mominul, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur and Shakib are automatic choice. Soumya cannot get in right now. Litton is there for keeping wickets. Moreover, Soumya cannot have really utility batting at way down at 7. One cannot expect dropping either Tamim or Kayes. Mominul is the steadiest test batsman. Will any one suggest dropping Mushfiqur, Mahmudullah or Shakib? Bangladesh also made the right choice of playing 7 batsmen and 4 genuine bowlers. This strategy immediately achieved success. Three players of test squad - Soumya, Nasir and Rubel - each deserved to play test cricket. But the present combination and strategy could not find any spot for them. Unfortunately, they have to wait for their turn.

It is great to see that Bangladesh now have so much of option at every position. Openers like Anamul, Rony Talukdar are also waiting on the wings. Pinak Ghosh and Joyraj Sheikh will soon start knocking on the door. Nasir and Sabbir cannot find place in test team. All players have to perform consistently well. Once out of the team and replaced there will be situation when the debutants like Soumya will knock out established players out of grace. But one must be very careful about maturing young talents. Let the bud to blossom or it will drop off before letting out the fragrance. Players like Mominul, Soumya, Sabbir, Litton, Rony, Mustafiz, Jubair, Taijul and Taskin are our future. We must handle these delicacies with extreme care.

Getting back to test on day three match is still leaning towards Bangladesh. By lunch time it will give the indication to which way it will take turn. The wicket will become more and more difficult to bat on. We have already seen odd balls gripping and turning, few balls kept low and few jumped off length. With four spinners of different varieties, a steady pacer and a teenage magician at disposal Mushfiqur can take charge if only Bangladesh gets to a sizable first innings lead.

BDST: 0906 HRS, JULY 23, 2015
SR

** Dream Day for Tigers