Proteas race to record victory over Bangladesh

South Africa charged to a record victory over Bangladesh on Thursday, wrapping up a 2-0 Test series win in Chittagong.

Having won the opening match by seven wickets at Mirpur last week, the SA team raced to a crushing win in the second clash, defeating their hosts by an innings and 273 runs within three days.

It was South Africa’s largest margin of victory in a Test match against any opposition, and their first Test series win in the subcontinent in 10 years.

Resuming their first innings at 38/4 in the morning session on Thursday, after the Proteas had declared at 575/6 the day before, Bangladesh were bundled out for 159.

Sent back in to bat, the hosts were bowled out for 143 in their second innings, with the match coming to a close in the final session on day three.

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada spearheaded the Proteas attack in the home side’s first innings, taking 5/37, and spinners Keshav Maharaj (5/59) and Senuran Muthusamy (4/45) dismantled the Bangladesh line-up in their second innings.

‘Incredibly proud’

“As a player in this team, I’m incredibly proud and happy to get a series win here,” said Aiden Markram, who stood in as captain for injured regular skipper Temba Bavuma.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy but we were very fortunate that we had some performances along the way that got us into really strong positions, and we were able to apply pressure through that, so it’s a proud moment for all of us.”