DHAKA, Oct 22, 2024 (BSS)—South Africa batter Kyle Verreynne hit a brilliant century to push Bangladesh on the brink of a defeat in the first cricket Test after an eventful day at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Verreynne scored 114 off 144, smashing eight fours and two sixes as South Africa posted 308 before being all out and took 202-run lead in the first innings.

Bangladesh, which were bowled out for 106 in the first innings, reached 101-3 before the bad light brought a premature end to the Day 2.

Opener Mahmudul Hasan was batting on 38 with Mushfiqur Rahim on 31 after putting up 52-run for the unbeaten third wicket stand at stumps today. 

Bangladesh still needed 101 runs to put South Africa into bat for the second time in the match. 

Whether the hosts can avoid an innings defeat will be heavily relied on their start on Day 3 tomorrow (Wednesday).

Verreynne shared two vital partnerships—119 with Wiaan Mulder for the seventh wicket and 66 with Dane Piedt for the ninth wicket—on Day 2, to put the visitors on front foot after South Africa resumed at 140-6. 

Verreynne eventually was the last batter out after smashing 114 off 144, with eight fours and two sixes.

Mulder hit 54 off 112, sending the ball across the ropes for eight time while Piedt scored 87 ball-32 with two fours.

South Africa were in danger to be all out before taking any significant lead with Bangladesh spinners getting turn and bounce aplenty since the Day 1 evening session.

However Verreyne and Mulder batted resolutely on Day 2 to take the full control of the match.

They played the sweep and reverse sweep shot perfectly to astutely deal with the Bangladesh spinners as South Africa found them in position of strength. 

Verreynne raised his fourth fifty from 67 balls by sweeping Taijul to short square leg before taking on other two spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Naeem Hasan in precision.

Mulder who took 3-22 with bowling reverse-swept off-spinner Nayeem for four through third man to complete his maiden half-century off 105 balls.

As the partnership grew stronger, pacer Hasan Mahmud gave the side some respite with two wickets in consecutive deliveries.

He had Mulder caught by Shadman at wide slip with a back of length delivery and then clean-bowled Keshav Maharaj for duck.

Bangladesh looked to wrap up the innings with South Africa in 121-run lead. But Piedt gave Verreyne the ample support to rotate the scoreboard rapidly and thus helping the side take the lead past 200 eventually.

Verreyne brought up his second Test century off 134 balls, sweeping Taijul Islam powerfully through deep square-leg for a single.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz who took 2-63, broke through with the wicket of Piedt who reviewed the leg-before decision unsuccessfully.

Verreynne hit two sixes off Miraz before the bowler got the better of him to bring an end to the South African innings, one hour after the lunch session.

Hasan Mahmud claimed 3-66 while Taijul couldn’t add any of his overnight tally and finished with 5-93. 

With 202-run deficit, Bangladesh made a poor start as Kagiso Rabada struck twice in the third over, to leave the home side 4-2, taking the wicket of Shadman Islam (1) and Mominul Haque for duck in three balls.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto resisted with 55-run partnership before Keshav Maharaj got the better of the Bangladesh captain who made 23.

Joy and his senior partner Mushfiqur Rahim saw off the day before the former survived a stumping dismissal narrowly.