Tigers trailing by 69 runs against Proteas

CHITTAGONG, July 22 (UNB): Bangladesh were trailing by 69 runs with six wickets in hand against South Africa's 248 runs in the first innings after the rain-interrupted second day of their first match of the two-match National Polymer Test Cricket Series at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong Wednesday.
The Tigers resumed their first innings with the overnight score of 7 runs for no loss in 2 overs and scored 179 runs for 4 in 67 overs at stumps on day-2 riding on two half centuries made by Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah.
The rain halted the second day's play at 3:12 pm when the Tigers were on 178 runs for 4 in 66.5 overs. Although the play resumed at 4:05pm, rain again disrupted the play after a ball being bowled by Vernon Philander to Shakib Al Hasan for a single. The rain finally ate up the second day's remaining overs.
Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim was on 16 runs off 44 balls with two fours and the only six in the innings and the world number one all rounder in all three formats of cricket Shakib Al Hasan on 1 run facing five balls when the bails were drawn for the second day.
Earlier, the third wicket stand of 89 runs in 31.4 overs between opener Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah pulled back the hosts from a vulnerable state denying the world best pace bowling attack as they carried the team total to 144 for 3 in 53.3 overs from 55 for 2 in 21.5 overs after the early loss of two top order batsmen-Imrul Kayes and Mominul Haque.
Tamim Iqbal was bowled out by Dean Elgar for 57 runs off 129 balls with three fours.
World Cup hero Mahmudullah continued his composure with skipper Mushfiqur Rahim in the fourth wicket stand but was trapped lbw by Vernon Philander at 178 for 4 in 66.1 overs.
Mahmudullah faced 138 balls to score the team highest 67 runs involving 10 fours. Tamim and Mahmudullah hit their 18th and 12th fifty respectively in the Test format.
Bangladesh were trailing by 168 runs with 8 wickets in hand when the players trooped off for lunch at 11:30 am on the day.
Tamim Iqbal and number four batsman Mahmudullah were batting on 30 and 12 runs respectively.
Bangladesh reached the 100-run mark with a four hit by Mahmudullah off a Dale Steyn delivery in 36.2 overs.
Resuming the first innings on the second day, the Tigers faced the first jolt in 18.2 overs losing their opening batsman Imrul Kayes.
Stiaan van Zyl made the breakthrough sending Imrul Kayes to pavilion after he scored 26 runs off 73 balls with three fours caught by Quinton de Kock.
The Tigers' dependable Test performer Mominul Haque failed to stay long with Tamim as he was bowled out by Simon Harmer for 6 runs, including a four, facing 14 balls at 55 in 21.5 overs.
Dean Elgar, Stiaan van Zyl, Vernon Philander and Simon Harmer took one wicket each for 6, 13, 22 and 59 runs respectively.
After the first-ever ODI series victory 2-1 against the Proteas, the ninth ranked Bangladesh look to carry their success to the longer version of cricket in the two-match Test series while the number one ranked South Africa side look to set their winning tone bouncing back.
Bangladesh aim to improve their position on the table with a draw against top-ranked South Africa, a realistic target for Bangladesh which will help them close the gap with eighth ranked West Indies.
An upward trend is visible for Bangladesh in the Test format recently, like in the shorter format, despite Bangladesh Test record not being very impressive.
Bangladesh won just seven of its previous 91 Tests, but among their 16 Tests since January 2013, Bangladesh won four, lost just six and drew the rest.
During the period, it swept out Zimbabwe 3-0 and managed admirable draws against Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Pakistan and India.
Brief score
South Africa first innings: 248 for all in 83.4 overs; Tema Bavuma 54, Faf du Plessis 48, Dean Elgar 47, Stiaan van Zyl 34, Vernon Philander 24, Mustafizur Rahman 4/37, Jubair Hossain 3/53.
Bangladesh first innings: 179 for 4 at stumps in 67 overs (overnight 7 for no loss in 2 overs); Mahmudullah 67, Tamim Iqbal 57, Imrul Kays 26, Mushfiqur Rahim batting 16, Shakib Al Hasan batting 1; Dean Elgar 1/6, Stiaan van Zyl 1/13, Vernon Philander 1/22, Simon Harmer 1/59.