DHAKA, Oct 29, 2024 (BSS)- Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons laid emphasis 
on taking early wickets on Day 2 of the second and final Test to put pressure 
on South Africa, which thoroughly dominated the opening day, thanks to twin 
centuries from Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs. 

South Africa put them in position of dominance by reaching 307-2 with Zorzi 
still in the crease with 141. Stubbs was out on 106.

"Right now the team talk is we need to come tomorrow morning and try to get 
early wickets to put ourselves in a position to bowl them out," Simmons told 
the reporters in Chattogram after day's play.

While it looked that South Africa are only side to win the Test after a 
dominating day, Simmons believes it's too early to say. He drew the example 
of recent England vs Pakistan match where Pakistan still lost the match 
despite scoring 556. England replied with monumental 823 and went on to win 
the game. 

"We've seen in a Test match in Pakistan that one side made 500 then another 
made 800 still had a result. So there's always a result in sight," Simmons 
said. 

"And right now we take what happened today, have a look at how we can do 
differently tomorrow morning to see if we can get some more wickets to put 
ourselves in a position. You always (need to) think about how you win the 
Test match first then anything else. 

Simmons though was not disappointed by the performance of Bangladesh which 
conceded 307 runs in a day, despite an early stump.

Citing it's a batting wicket, he said: "I can't say I'm disappointed. It's 
been an excellent batting wicket as far as we're concerned. I think the 
bowlers toiled and bowled well."

"(There were) few missed chances. (It) could have been different, could be 
four (down), could be five (down). But you know it's a difficult day. I've 
seen difficult days on the other side of the coin when I've been here. So, I 
wouldn't say I'm disappointed."

Bangladesh came into the game with three changes and Simmons said that they 
were forced to do that due to players' illness and concussion issue.

Zakir Hasan and pacer Nahid Rana were included into the side, replacing Liton 
Das and offspinner Nayeem Hasan. Jaker Ali Anik was ruled out with concussion 
and Mahidul Islam Ankon made a debut in his place.

Simmons informed that Liton had high fever which ruled him out at the 11th 
hour, making way for Zakir, who just came into the game after playing a NCL 
match while they consider a pacer in Chattogram pitch instead of a spinner. 

"There was no miscommunication. That he (Zakir) was always coming back. We 
needed him to get some batting time, if he was going to be needed in this 
match. 

Because he didn't play in the last Test match. Then we got a concussion, 
illness. Two batsmen were out. So there was no miscommunication," Simmons 
said.