ANI
Dhaka
South Africa secured their first Test win in Asia after 2014, beating Bangladesh in the first Test of the two-match series at Dhaka’s Shere Bangla National Stadium on Thursday, climbing to number four in ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings.
The Proteas improved their point percentage to 47.62 with the victory, which helped them jump over New Zealand and England and take fourth place on the standings.
Bangladesh’s loss sees their point-percentage drop to 30.56 and they continue to languish in seventh place with India and Australia still remaining in the top two spots on the standings.
Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to field against South Africa, but the decision backfired as South Africa’s pacers and spinners thrived in helpful conditions, bowling out Bangladesh for merely 106. Kagiso Rabada, Wiaan Mulder, and Keshav Maharaj picked up three wickets each. Mahmudul Hasan Joy top-scored for Bangladesh with 30 in 97 deliveries.
Bangladesh’s spinners fought back, with Taijul Islam (5/122) and Mehidy Hasan (2/63) sharing seven wickets between them but a fighting ton from Kyle Verreynne (114 in 144 balls, with eight fours and two sixes) backed by support from Mulder (54 in 112 balls, with eight fours) and Dane Piedt (32 in 87 balls, with two fours) helped South Africa gain a massive lead of 202 runs.
South Africa was skittled out for 308 runs.
South Africa bowlers took charge once more in the third innings with Rabada leading the way.
Rabada finished with 6/46, his best bowling figures in Asia.
Scores: Bangladesh 106 & 307 (Mehidy Hasan Miraz 97, Jaker Ali 58, Kagiso Rabada 6/46) lose to South Africa: 308 and 106/3 (Tony de Zorzi 41, Tristan Stubbs 30*, Taijul Islam (3/43) by seven wickets.