In the second and final cricket test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today, the Bangladesh men’s cricket team put on one of the most shocking performances to suffer an embarrassing loss to South Africa, on a day when the women’s football team returned home to a hero’s welcome after winning the SAFF Championship.
As it was known, the Tigers suffered an innings and 273-run loss in three days after shambolically losing 16 wickets in one day. Except for a 2002 innings and 310-run loss against the West Indies, this was their second-worst loss ever.
In 148 Test matches, it was the 46th innings that Bangladesh had lost.
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada (5-37) wrecked havoc in the first innings while Keshav Maharaj sliced through them in the second innings with 5-59.
However, the Bangladeshi batsmen’ careless strokes caused them to dig their own graveyards more than the South African bowlers’ destruction.
The first Test was won by South Africa by seven wickets, their first subcontinental triumph since 2014.Bangladesh started the day at 38-4 and was dismissed for 159 in response to South Africa’s declared 575-6.
Bangladesh was reduced to 48-8 after Rabada claimed his 15th five-for, but Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam’s 103-run partnership for the ninth wicket postponed the inevitable. Mominul made the team-best 82 while Taijul made 30. Leading the first innings by 416 runs, South Africa enforced a follow-on, and its bowlers justified the decision by wrapping up Bangladesh for 143 in little less than two sessions. Left-arm spinner Senuran Muhtusamy registered his career-best 4-45 to play a perfect foil to Maharaj. No. 10 batter Hasan Mahmud was not out on 38 and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 36. Bangladesh began the day, being threatened to an innings defeat but hardly anyone could sense a meek surrender inside three days.
In the morning session, Rabada struck in just fourth over of the day as captain Najmul Hossain Shanto poked a length delivery tentatively to Kyle Verriynne for 9. In the next over, Dane Paterson dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim for duck with a fuller length delivery. The situation went from bad to worse as Rabada struck twice, getting the better of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mahidul Islam in three deliveries. Miraz pushed a delivery outside off half-heartedly to be out for 1, while Mahidul Ankon on debut was out for duck after offering no shot against a delivery that nipped back sharply. Mominul and Taijul resisted that, which only delayed the inevitable. Once Senuran Muthusamy dismissed Mominul for 82 by denying him a century, Bangladesh’s resistance came to an end. Keshav Maharaj, who took 2-57 in the first innings, then removed Taijul for 30 to wrap up Bangladesh’s innings. After dismissing Bangladesh with such ease, South Africa didn’t hesitate to enforce follow-on. Bangladesh openers weathered Rabada threat but his new ball partner Dane Paterson struck first to take the wicket of Shadman Islam, who chased a delivery outside off to edge behind for 6. He was out for duck in the first innings. Muthusamy dismissed another opener, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, for 11, with a turning delivery that took the outside edge of the batter. Mominul Haque fought valiantly in the first innings to score 82 but coming to bat for the second time in less than 30 minutes, he was removed for duck, trying to dominate Maharaj. Muthusamy then extended Mushfiqur Rahim’s lean patch by trapping him leg-before 2. After an epic 191 against Pakistan, Mushfiqur Rahim had gone 10 innings without any half-century. Shanto launched a counterattack, but Muthusamy and Maharaj kept taking wickets, putting Bangladesh in jeopardy of being dismissed before 100.
Muthusamy took the inside edge with a delivery that spun sharply, confusing Shanto.
Bangladesh passed 100 thanks to several powerful strokes from Hasan Mahmud and 29 from debutant Mahidul Islam Ankon, who was out for duck in the first inning.
However, Maharaj ended Bangladesh’s innings by dismissing Mahidul and Nahid Rana in quick succession, earning his tenth five-for.
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