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DHAKA, Oct 28, 2024 (BSS)-The top six batters of the South Africa are hungry 
to put a good show in the second and final Test against Bangladesh after 
failing to come up with terms in the first match, said its stand-in captain 
Aiden Markram.

"Ultimately, believing in those players backing their strengths and back 
their options. Discussions have been made as a batting unit, our top six are 
really hungry to contribute," Markram said ahead of second Test against 
Bangladesh.

South Africa took 1-0 lead in the series following a seven-wicket victory but 
their top six batters failed to make any significant contribution. They 
eventually saved their face, thanks to No.7 batter Kyle Verreynne's 114 and 
No.8 batter Wiaan Mulder's 54. 

The duo shared 119-run for the seventh wicket partnership to help South 
Africa compile 308, which was enough to seal the deal, given Bangladesh's 
first innings bating debacle.

"But I suppose, each batter has their individual unique way of backing their 
strengths and finding a way to put the Bangladesh bowlers under some pressure 
and which will make scoring runs a little bit easier, a little more free 
flowing," he remarked.

"We'll have to see how the wicket plays out as well in respect to each of our 
options we try to find."

The victory in the first Test, which was their first victory in this format 
in the sub-continent since their 153-run win against Sri Lanka at Galle in 
2014 suddenly put South Africa in the contention of the World Test 
Championship (WTC) final.

A victory in the second Test, however, will bolster their chance final with 
India already losing two Tests against New Zealand. 

Markram said the possibility of playing the WTC final will not put them in 
any necessary pressure.
 
"I mean I don't think it really adds pressure for us. It's just an exciting 
opportunity that could be," he said.

"So that's almost how we're trying to view it. Probably still need to win a 
lot of the remaining matches and we've got five left until that. The five 
Test matches are a lot of cricket to be played. So that's pretty much where 
we are at now. We hopefully can go session by session, game by game. We 
hopefully give ourselves a good chance. But yeah, excited about what could be 
moving forward."

Markram said a victory in the sub-continent after 10 years relieved them 
ahead of the crucial second game.

"It was definitely reliving. Obviously it’s a happy moment for us in the 
changing room. Good sides find ways to win consecutively and that's been our 
drive coming into this Test match, so hopefully we can put in another good 
performance," Markram said. 

"We obviously always appreciate the opposition, especially Bangladesh in 
their home conditions. No doubt it's going to be a tough game for sure, but 
we can back it up and keep the good energy and vibe in the change room."