BAN VS SA 1ST TEST

Right then, that is it from this first Test where South Africa goes ahead in the series while Bangladesh have a lot of things to ponder upon and come back stronger in the next game. The 2nd and final Test of this series will start on 29th October, Tuesday at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. It will begin at 4 am GMT, but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Aiden Markram, the victorious skipper of South Africa says that it was a really good performance from his team. Adds that most of the damage was done on the opening day and the bowlers were excellent. Credits Bangladesh for their batting in the second innings and putting up a fight in this game. Tells that it was a good toss to lose and the bowlers exploited the conditions nicely. Mentions that a lot of learnings to take as well from this game. Ends by saying that Kagiso Rabada is a fine bowler and a century for Kyle Verreynne was special as he is new to the fold, but batted well in sub-continent conditions.

Kyle Verreynne is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant ton. He says he was just trying to stay committed to what he was doing. Mentions this is his first tour in the sub-continent and he was well prepared for it. Adds he got great support from others. Ends by saying he’s pleased with his performance and he hopes he can continue the form.

A few Appreciation Crests are being handed over to the players for reaching personal milestones in this Test. Mushfiqur Rahim is up first for getting to 6000 Test runs. He is followed by Taijul Islam and Kagiso Rabada for getting to 200 and 300 Test wickets respectively.

Najmul Hossain Shanto, the captain of Bangladesh says they did not do well with the bat! Adds the batters need to take more responsibility, the bowlers were good but they just did not get enough runs in the first innings. Credits the way Mehidy Hasan played. Ends by saying he’s looking forward to the next Test.

Presentation Time...

Bangladesh were in deep trouble early on Day 3, losing Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mushfiqur Rahim in the same over and facing the prospect of an innings defeat. But Mehidy Hasan and debutant Jaker Ali staged a remarkable fightback, turning the tide with a 138-run partnership that took them past South Africa’s lead. Mehidy continued to frustrate the visitors alongside Nayeem Hasan, as bad light and rain stopped the Proteas from using the second new ball. South Africa, after Kagiso Rabada's early strikes and Keshav Maharaj's key wicket later in the day, failed to maintain the pressure and would have been disappointed to have let Bangladesh gain an 81-run lead. However, that did not matter much as they finished the game off in the first session on Day 4.

Day 2 saw Bangladesh fight back to stay in the game, but South Africa still held the upper hand. Kyle Verreynne’s brilliant century helped the Proteas extend their lead to 202 runs, and Kagiso Rabada struck early with two wickets. However, Bangladesh showed resilience, with Mahmudul Hasan Joy and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto steadying the ship. However, Keshav Maharaj’s late breakthrough halted their momentum, but Mushfiqur Rahim’s aggressive approach gave the visitors a much-needed boost, reducing the deficit to 101 runs. A couple of missed chances by South Africa towards the end left the game wide open as both teams headed into a crucial 'Moving Day'.

It was a pretty dramatic opening day of Test cricket! A total of 16 wickets fell, with both Kagiso Rabada and Taijul Islam reaching milestones - Rabada becoming the fastest to 300 Test wickets (By number of balls bowled) and Taijul grabbing his 200th with a stunning five-wicket haul. Bangladesh's decision to bat first quickly backfired as they collapsed to 45/5, with only Mahmudul Hasan Joy showing resistance. Late contributions from Mehidy Hasan and Taijul barely pushed them to 106. South Africa's pacers dominated, with Wiaan Mulder and Rabada sharing six wickets. In reply, the Proteas struggled too, losing Aiden Markram early, but Tony de Zorzi’s gritty 30, along with Ryan Rickelton’s proactive 27, kept them in the game. As Mulder and Kyle Verreynne held firm, South Africa ended the day with a slim 34-run lead.

After the fightback on Day 3, Bangladesh could not really handle the second new ball. They only managed to add 24 runs to the overnight score losing the three wickets. Mehidy Hasan missed out on a ton scoring 97 off 191 balls and was the last one to fall. As expected, it was Kagiso Rabada who provided the first breakthrough in the very first over of Day 4 and then wrapped things up as well finishing with his best Test figures (6/46) against Bangladesh. While chasing a modest total of 106 runs, South Africa got off to a quick start and did not let the hosts put pressure on them. They did lose three wickets, but the top three batters scoring 20 or more made sure they hunted this total without much fuss.

SOUTH AFRICA GO 1-0 UP IN THE SERIES! This is also their first Test victory in the sub-continent since 2014, and ten years later, they have put in a brilliant performance to brush aside Bangladesh in their own backyard. This win holds a lot of significance as it keeps the Proteas alive in the race for the World Test Championship final, but they do need to build on this and keep the winning momentum going.

There it is! There are the winning runs! On the pads. Stubbs looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad and goes down to fine leg. Two taken. Leg byes. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 7 WICKETS!

Floated up on off. This is blocked to cover.

Flatter and on off. Stubbs blocks.

On the pads. This is worked to mid-wicket.

Around off. This is pushed to cover.

On middle. Kept out.