S Africa reply solidly before bad light stops play

South Africa are off to a fine start before dark clouds over the stadium stopped the proceedings in the third session of the third day of the Chittagong Test. The tourists were 61 for no loss in their second innings and 18 runs behind Bangladesh on Thursday.

Brief score: South Africa 61/0 in 21.1 overs & 248, Bangladesh 326

Proteas openers Stiaan van Zyl (33) and Dean Elgar (28) looked comfortable at the crease. Bangladesh had lost their last five wickets for 49 runs to be bowled out for 326 before tea. The Tigers took a 78-run first innings lead on the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium pitch that is playing slow while the ball is also keeping low. Dale Steyn took his Test wicket tally to 399 as South Africa struck back with five wickets in the second session. Shakib Al Hasan (47) and Liton Das (50) were involved in a 82-run partnership as Bangladesh took the lead under a light drizzle in the first session.
There was a short rain-delay to the resumption of play after lunch. Shakib went back soon after when he took a leading edge off Simon Harmer for an easy catch to Jean-Paul Duminy after surviving off a similar chance earlier in the over. Nightwatchman Mohammad Shahid (25) then came in and tried to force the pace. He hammered 18 off Harmer’s 31st over cracking three fours and a flat six. His 19-ball cameo ended when tried another big shot off Vernon Philander but skied it to Stiaan van Zyl at deep midwicket. Liton was impressive as he picked the gaps superbly and reached his maiden Test half-century off 101 balls with seven boundaries. The Tigers’ wicketkeeper batsman went when he was surprised by Simon Harmer’s extra bounce and took an inside edge on to the pad for a catch to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. The third umpire confirmed the dismissal after the on-field umpires asked for a review. Steyn then wrapped it up with the last two wickets. Bangladesh started the day at an overnight 179 for 4.
Mushfiqur Rahim (28) opened the scoring for Bangladesh with two boundaries off Dale Steyn, an outside edge past the slip cordon and a cut past backward point. He tried to score as many runs of the old ball as possible. After Mushfiq glanced another boundary, Steyn finally broke through wrapping Rahim on his pads for an after-review lbw.
Following Mushfiq’s early departure, Shakib, relatively quiet at the other end, settled in with Liton to keep the scoreboard ticking. He cracked Stiaan van Zyl for two back-to-back boundaries in his 13th over while Liton drove Steyn to put Bangladesh in front.
When the players walked back for lunch, Bangladesh had added 73 to their overnight score and just lost Rahim. Light drizzles were frequent under overcast conditions at the venue. The second day’s play had to be cut short by 25 overs due to bad weather. A magnificent bowling performance by the hosts restricted the Proteas to 248 on the first day, according to a news agency.