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Download PDF The defeat was inevitable for the Tigers as South Africa completed their task in 45 minutes on the fourth morning of the first Test of the two-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
Bangladesh’s hero of the match Shahadat Hossain, who finished with a match haul of nine wickets, picked up the day’s lone wicket by trapping left-handed batsman Ashwell Prince that only reduced the losing margin to five wickets.
It was mere formalities for the Proteas as they needed only 27 runs on the fourth day with six wickets in hand and it took them 10.5 overs to reach 205 for losing five wickets after resuming the day on 178-4.
The margin of loss could have been reduced had Jamaican umpire Steve Bucknor not ruled out a confident lbw appeal of ace left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique against Mark Boucher. Television replays showed Boucher was plumb in front.
AB de Villiers, who was not out on 19 runs, also survived several uncomfortable moments against Rafique before Boucher cut one past point to start the celebrations in the South African camp.
In terms of records, it was the Tigers’ fifth straight defeat against the formidable South Africans but without any doubt, they have showed more improvement in the match to push the visitors hard in the first two days on a very tricky surface. On the previous four occasions, Bangladesh were handed innings defeats.
Mohammad Ashraful’s men created a great opportunity thanks to the career-best bowling of Shahadat, who captured six wickets for 27 to destroy the tourists in the first innings, to put an end to their drought by taking a first innings lead but Jacques Kallis snatched the initiative only to remind the great escape acts of Inzamamul Haq and Ricky Ponting in Multan and Fatullah respectively.
Bangladesh squandered yet another advantage they gained on the second day to swallow their 44th Test defeat in 52 played so far, mainly because of poor batting in the second innings as they were bundled out for only 182.
Young Zunaed Siddiqui however showed great temperament during his 74-run knock.
Both teams will fly to Chittagong tomorrow to play the second and final Test starting from February 29 and also the first one-day international of the three-match series on March 9 to be held at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium.
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