The first Test match between Bangladesh and South Africa kicked off today at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. After winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bat first, but it wasn’t an ideal start for the home side as they lost five crucial wickets for just 49 runs by the end of the first session. South Africa’s bowlers, especially Wiaan Mulder and Kagiso Rabada, were in fine form, dismantling the Bangladeshi batting lineup with sharp bowling. Let’s dive deeper into the events of the first session.
Bangladesh’s Struggles: A Slow Start
The day started with great hopes for Bangladesh, as captain Najmul Hossain Shanto opted to bat first, looking to put runs on the board and set a strong foundation. However, things took a turn for the worse quite early, as South Africa’s bowlers attacked with precision and aggression, not allowing the Bangladeshi batters to settle.
The first blow came in the form of Shadman Islam, who was dismissed for a duck by Wiaan Mulder in the second over. Mulder struck again soon after, taking the wickets of Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto in quick succession, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 21-3.
Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim tried to stabilize the innings, but he too fell victim to Kagiso Rabada after scoring just 11 runs. Litton Das followed shortly, contributing only 1 run before being caught by Tristan Stubbs off Rabada’s delivery. The early dismissals left Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz at the crease, who managed to hold on until lunch.
Scorecard: Bangladesh 1st Innings (Day 1, 1st Session)
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahmudul Hasan Joy | 15* | 68 | 1 | 0 | 22.06 |
| Shadman Islam | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Mominul Haque | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Najmul Hossain Shanto (c) | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Mushfiqur Rahim | 11 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 55.00 |
| Litton Das (wk) | 1 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 7.69 |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | 4* | 4 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | 7 | ||||
| Total | 49 | 5 wkts, 19.5 ov |
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kagiso Rabada | 7.5 | 3 | 16 | 2 | 2.00 |
| Wiaan Mulder | 6 | 3 | 17 | 3 | 2.80 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 6 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 2.00 |
South Africa’s Bowling Attack: A Dominant Performance
Wiaan Mulder was the standout performer for South Africa in the first session, taking three crucial wickets and putting Bangladesh on the back foot right from the beginning. His consistent line and length, combined with good swing movement, troubled the Bangladeshi top order. He dismissed Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque early on, followed by the crucial wicket of captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Kagiso Rabada also played a vital role in breaking Bangladesh’s momentum. He bowled with pace and accuracy, dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das. Rabada’s ability to generate bounce from the pitch made it difficult for the batters to score freely, and his disciplined bowling ensured that Bangladesh couldn’t build any partnerships.
Keshav Maharaj, on the other hand, kept things tight from his end, conceding only 12 runs in his six overs. Although he didn’t pick up a wicket in the first session, his economic bowling applied pressure on the Bangladeshi batters, forcing them to take risks at the other end.
Key Moments from the 1st Session
- Early Dismissal of Shadman Islam: The first breakthrough came when Shadman Islam was dismissed in the second over without scoring a run. This early dismissal set the tone for South Africa’s aggressive bowling approach.
- Mulder’s Impact: Wiaan Mulder was the star of the first session, taking three wickets. His dismissal of Najmul Hossain Shanto, who was looking to counter-attack, was a key moment that swung the momentum firmly in South Africa’s favor.
- Rabada’s Double Strike: Kagiso Rabada struck twice, removing Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das in quick succession. His disciplined bowling made it tough for Bangladesh to form any meaningful partnership.
Bangladesh’s Struggle Against Quality Bowling
The first session highlighted Bangladesh’s struggles against quality pace bowling. The combination of Wiaan Mulder and Kagiso Rabada proved too much for the hosts, who seemed unable to handle the movement and bounce. The dismissals of experienced players like Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Litton Das exposed Bangladesh’s vulnerability against the new ball.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy showed resilience by staying at the crease, facing 68 balls for his 15 runs. He focused on defense, trying to survive the initial burst from the South African pacers. His partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who came in after the fall of Litton Das, will be crucial if Bangladesh is to recover from this early setback.
What’s Next for Bangladesh?
With 49-5 at the end of the first session, Bangladesh faces an uphill task to post a respectable total in their first innings. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz need to build a solid partnership and ensure that the team reaches at least a competitive score. The key will be to play patiently, rotating the strike, and avoiding any rash shots that could lead to more wickets.
The lower order, including Jaker Ali, Nayeem Hasan, and Taijul Islam, will need to contribute significantly if Bangladesh hopes to put up a challenging total for South Africa. The conditions are not easy, but with determination and focus, Bangladesh can still make a comeback.
South Africa’s Strategy Moving Forward
South Africa will be looking to continue their dominance in the next session. The bowlers, especially Mulder and Rabada, will aim to clean up the remaining Bangladeshi wickets quickly. Keshav Maharaj might also play a bigger role as the pitch starts to wear down, bringing spin into play.
The Proteas will be looking to capitalize on the momentum they have gained in the first session and restrict Bangladesh to a low total, giving their batters an opportunity to take control of the game. The early wickets have given South Africa a significant advantage, and they will be eager to make the most of it.
Conclusion
The first session of Day 1 in the BAN vs RSA 1st Test has been dominated by South Africa, thanks to brilliant bowling performances by Wiaan Mulder and Kagiso Rabada. Bangladesh, at 49-5, will need a determined effort from their remaining batters to post a competitive score and keep themselves in the game. The pressure is now on Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz to stabilize the innings and give their bowlers something to defend.
As we move into the second session, all eyes will be on how Bangladesh handles the pressure and whether South Africa can wrap up the innings quickly. It promises to be an exciting day of Test cricket, with both teams looking to gain an advantage in this crucial match.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Bangladesh vs South Africa Test Series and insights into the key moments that shape this encounter. Feel free to share your thoughts on the match in the comments below!
