Rain, bad light halt Proteas’ march to first Test win in Bangladesh

South Africa will try restrict Bangladesh to a lead of not much more than 100 runs when play resumes on day four of the first Test between the nations in Dhaka on Thursday.

Bangladesh held an 81-run lead when bad light stopped play on a rain-hit third day on Wednesday when less than 58 overs were bowled after batters Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Jaker Ali frustrated the South African bowlers.

The hosts were 283/7 in their second knock when the umpires called stumps about an hour before the scheduled finish, with Mehidy on 87 and Nayeem Hasan on 16.

‘Credit to Bangladesh’

South African spin bowler Keshav Maharaj, who claimed 3/105, said the Bangladesh batters had done well in conditions that had improved as the Test had gone on.

“Bangladesh did really well today (Wednesday),” said the left-arm bowler.

“The conditions have got a bit better with the used ball, to be honest, but we are still ahead.

“If we can restrict them as much as possible we’re still in the pound seats considering the good work we did with the bat in the first innings.”

South Africa scored 308 to Bangladesh’s first innings of 106.

Good partnership

At one stage in their second innings, the hosts in Dhaka were 112/6 before the good partnership of 138 runs between Mehidy and Jaker, who scored 58 before becoming one of Maharaj’s victims, rescued the innings.

“They played really well,” said Maharaj. “It wasn’t a case of us taking the foot off the gas. Credit must go to the batters in that situation.

“I think we’ll try restrict them to (a lead of) 100. But we’ll assess conditions in the morning. There’s a little moisture in the air and the conditions have got better.”

Bangladesh resumed day three on Wednesday at 101/3, chasing down South Africa’s 202-run first-innings lead.

Kagiso Rabada has so far taken 4/35 in the second innings, to go with his 3/26 in the first innings. Kyle Verreynne scored an important 114 in his first time at the crease.

Bangladesh have never won a Test against South Africa.

The second and final match of the series begins on October 29 in Chattogram.