Tigers consolidate lead

Bangladesh were 277 for five wickets in 101.5 overs after lunch in the first innings of their first Test against South Africa on Thursday. South Africa scored 248 in the first innings. Now, Bangladesh have taken a 29-run lead over the visitors in the first innings. Shakib Al Hasan and Liton Das partnered to put Bangladesh in lead under a light drizzle on the third day of the five-day game at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. Shakib (32) and Liton (29) were batting confidently to achieve what Bangladesh would seek now -- a substantial lead that would help their bowlers put the Proteas under pressure in the second innings, specially if the pitch starts to take spin and uneven bounce. The hosts started the day 69 runs behind South Africa’s first innings score, at an overnight 179 for four. 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 Al Hasan, relatively quiet at the other end, settled in with Liton Das 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.