Denying the world’s best pace bowling attack, Bangladesh took a 78-run lead against South Africa in reply to their 248 runs in the first innings on day three in their first match of the two-match National Polymer Test Cricket Series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Thursday. Trailing by 69 runs, Bangladesh resumed the first innings on the third day with the overnight score of 179 for 4 in 67 overs and were dismissed for 326 in 116.1 overs on the second session with young talented batsman Liton Kumar Das making his maiden Test half century of 50 runs. The hosts faced 49.1 overs in the day’s two sessions to add 147 more runs. The pitch seems rough now which means it has turned in favour of spinners and the Bangladesh spin attack have to give their cent percent to restrict the Proteas within an expected margin in the second innings. Liton shared an 82-run partnership with world best all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in the sixth wicket stand in 29.1 overs. Shakib Al Hasan scored 47 runs off 114 balls with four fours and was sent back by a Jean Paul Duminy’s comfortable overhead catch at short midwicket off a Simon Harmer delivery at 277 for 6 in 102 overs. After Shakib, Mohammad Shahid showed a brief cameo when he hit 25 runs off just 19 balls featuring four fours and one six and was caught by Stiaan van Zyl off a Vernon Philander delivery at 311 7 in 107.3 overs. Soon after Shahid, Liton Kumar Das was caught by Quinton de Kock off a Simon Harmer delivery at 319 in 110 overs. Taijul Islam (9 off 27b, 1X4) and Mustafizur Rahman (3 off 13b) were the other scorers for Bangladesh. Earlier, at lunch, Bangladesh were leading by 5 runs after resuming the innings on third day with the overnight score of 179 for 4 in 67 overs. Pace bowler Dale Steyn faded the Tigers’ hope of a big lead trapping skipper Mushfiqur Rahim lbw at 195 in 72.5 overs. Mushfiqur was out for 28 runs off 61 balls with five fours and one six adding just 12 runs off 17 balls on third day. Dale Steyn and Simon Harmer grabbed three wickets each for 78 and 105 runs respectively. Vernon Philander took two wickets for 40 runs while Dean Elgar and Stiaan van Zyl took one wicket apiece for 6 and 23 runs respectively. Brief score South Africa first innings: 248 for all in 83.4 overs; Tema Bavuma 54, Faf du Plessis 48, Dean Elgar 47, Stiaan van Zyl 34, Vernon Philander 24; Mustafizur Rahman 4/37, Jubair Hossain 3/53. Bangladesh first innings: 326 for all 116.1 overs (Overnight 179 for 4 in 67 overs); Mahmudullah 67, Tamim Iqbal 57, Liton Kumar Das 50, Shakib Al Hasan 47, Mushfiqur Rahim 28, Imrul Kays 26; Dale Steyn 3/78, Simon Harmer 3/105, Vernon Philander 2/40, Dean Elgar 1/6, Stiaan van Zyl 1/23. — Chittagong, July 23 (UNB)
