The first Test between South Africa and Bangladesh at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom turned out to be a one-sided affair as the hosts proved to be too good for Mushfiqur Rahim and his men. Despite missing out on the services of the big guns, the Proteas were good enough. A commanding performance saw South Africa win by 333 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the 2-Test series.
A decision went wrong
Bangladesh won the toss and to the surprise of everyone, opted to bowl first. The decision turned out to be horribly wrong as the South African openers punished the bowlers. Aiden Markram, unfortunately, missed out on a hundred as he was run out for 97 as a mammoth partnership of 196 ended.
Dean Elgar found the company of Hashim Amla and the duo further tormented the Bangladeshi bowlers. Amla scored 137 runs before getting out to Shafiul Islam but a partnership of 215 put the home side in the driver’s seat. Elgar was unlucky to miss out on a well-deserved double century and got out on 199 to Mustafizur Rahman. South Africa made a surprise declaration for 496/3 on day 2.
No batsman scored big
The Bangladeshi innings was rocked back early as Imrul Kayes and Liton Das departed in quick succession. Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur showed some fight with a stand of 67 before the latter succumbed to Keshav Maharaj. Tamim Iqbal, who batted at No.5, was involved in a 55-run partnership with Haque but got out for 39.
There were 2 more 50-run partnerships for the next 2 wickets as Mominul and Mahmudullah scored fifties. But wickets falling at regular intervals didn’t help Bangladesh’s cause as they were bowled out for 320 conceding a lead of 176. Maharaj ended up 3 wickets while Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada bagged 2 apiece.
Faf and Bavuma sealed the advantage
The South African openers failed to impress the second time around as they departed inside 11 overs with Markram scoring 15 and Elgar making 18. Amla hung in there for a while but was dismissed by Mustafizur for 28. The hosts were in a slight spot of bother at 70/3 but the skipper Faf du Plessis alongside Temba Bavuma bailed the side out of trouble.
Faf scored 81 while Bavuma made 71 as a partnership of 142 put South Africa firmly in control. On day 4, the Proteas declared at 247/6 with a massive lead of 423.
A quick rap up
Bangladesh got off to the worst possible start as Tamim was sent back for a duck by Morkel in the first over. The pacer inflicted another wicket for a duck and this time, it was Mominul who fell in the first over itself. from 0/2, Imrul Kayes and Mushfiqur took the score to 49 but Kayes fell to Maharaj for 32.
That was the opening that the hosts needed and one by one, the visiting batsmen followed each other back to the pavilion. Bangladesh were bowled out for 90 in just the 33rd over handing South Africa a massive victory by 333 runs. Maharaj finished with 4 scalps while Rabada claimed 3. Dean Elgar, for his brilliant hundred in the first innings, was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Match Summary
Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl first
South Africa 1st innings: 496/3 declared in 146 overs
Dean Elgar 199, Hashim Amla 137
Shafiul Islam 74/1, Mustafizur Rahman 98/1
Bangladesh 1st innings: 320/10 in 89.1 overs
Mominul Haque 77, Mahmudullah 66
Keshav Maharaj 92/3, Morne Morkel 51/2
South Africa 2nd innings: 247/6 declared in 56 overs
Faf du Plessis 81, Temba Bavuma 71
Mominul Haque 27/3, Mustafizur Rahman 30/2
Bangladesh 2nd innings: 90/10 in 32.4 overs
Imrul Kayes 32, Mushfiqur Rahim 16
Keshav Maharaj 25/4, Kagiso Rabada 33/3
South Africa won by 333 runs
Player of the match: Dean Elgar
