South Africa build on big lead against Tigers

FE Team | Published: April 10, 2022 21:48:30

GQEBERHA, South Africa, Apr 10 (AFP): South Africa batted aggressively in their second innings after securing a 236-run first innings lead on the third day of the second Test against Bangladesh at St George's Park in Gqeberha on Sunday.
Sarel Erwee made 40 not out as South Africa reached 84 for two at tea, an overall lead of 320 runs.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, who took six for 135 in the first innings, took both wickets at a cost of 31 runs.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 217 in their first innings, losing their last five wickets for 25 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim (51) and Yasir Ali (46) put on 70 for the sixth wicket but the innings folded rapidly after Yasir was caught and bowled by Keshav Maharaj.
South African captain Dean Elgar decided not to enforce the follow-on. He and Erwee scored at better than five runs an over in an opening stand of 60 before Elgar missed a reverse sweep against Taijul and was bowled.
Keegan Petersen made 14 but was leg before wicket to Taijul in the last over before tea.
Earlier, Bangladesh were bowled out for 217 in their first innings shortly after lunch.
Mushfiqur Rahim made a dogged 51 before being bowled by off-spinner Simon Harmer when he attempted a reverse sweep, a shot out of character at the end of a 136-ball innings.
Mushfiqur defied the South African bowlers for most of a rain-delayed morning. He reached his half-century off 134 balls when he swept Simon Harmer for four in the off-spinner's first over of the day.
But two balls later Mushfiqur missed an attempted reverse sweep and was bowled for 51.
Mushfiqur and Yasir Ali scored freely after play was delayed by 20 minutes by rain. Yasir hit the first three balls of the day from Lizaad Williams for four and 41 runs were scored off the first nine overs.
But the runs dried up and only 30 runs were scored off the next 20 overs with left-arm spin bowler Keshav Maharaj conceding only 12 runs in 10 overs.
Maharaj ended a 70-run sixth wicket stand between Mushfiqur and Yasir when he held a return catch from Yasir, who made 46.
Bangladesh were 210 for seven at lunch and the last three wickets fell in 4.2 overs after the break, all to attempted big hits against Harmer and fellow spinner, left-armer Keshav Maharaj.