Bangladesh put a yet another disastrous batting show to be all out for just 106 in its first innings of the first cricket Test against South Africa at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today [21 October].
The Tigers, as it was adorably called, could survive just one and half session (or little less than three hours) after captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bat first.
The South African fast bowlers utilized the early moisture of the pitch to good effect to leave the hosts in a troublesome situation.
Wiaan Mulder claimed 3-22 and Kagiso Rabada returned figures of 3-26 as the visitors sliced through Bangladesh batting lineup with such ease that hardly anyone could ponder ahead of the Test.
They were well backed up left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj who also took three wickets.
Mulder took the first three wickets in each of his first three overs to put Bangladesh in early trouble and then there was no respite for them.
The rot began with the dismissal of Shadman Islam who played a needless shot against a delivery that moved away to edge to the second slip for a duck.
Mominul Haque (4) nicked a delivery behind the wicket while Shanto flicked straight to short mid-off after scoring 7, leaving Bangladesh at precarious 21-3.
Rabada got in to act, rattling the stump of veteran Mushfiqur Rahim (11) for his 300th wicket in Test cricket. In doing so, he became the sixth South African bowler to achieve the feat.
The situation got worsened for the hosts, when Rabada swung a delivery to get the better of Liton Das, caught at gully for 1.
On the stroke of lunch, left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj joined the party, trapping Mehidy Hasan Miraz leg-before for 13.
Opener Mahmudul Hasan, who battled throughout the morning session, was the first victim in the post-lunch session.
He made team-best 30 off 97 with two fours and one six before Dane Piedt bowled him out for his only wicket in the innings.
Maharaj then had debutant Jaker Ali Anik stumped for 2 as Bangladesh were reduced to 76-8 and were in danger of being all out below 100.
Taijul Islam's 16 runs helped them go past 100 but Maharaj and Rabada shared the last two wickets to ensure South Africa would bowl Bangladesh out cheaply.
Aiden Markram leads South Africa in the Test with Temba Bavuma absent through injury. The Proteas are aiming to end a 10-year drought on the sub-continent after failing to win any of its past 13 Tests there.
South Africa have never lost a Test against Bangladesh, winning 12 of 14 matches. The two Test matches in their last tour of Bangladesh in 2015 were drawn, largely due to inclement weather.
