South Africa 1^st Innings 577/6 Declared (Tony di Zorzi 177, Tristan Stubbs 106, Willan Muldar 105*, Seruran Muthusamy 70*, David Bedingham 59, Taijul Islam 5/196)

Bangladesh 1^st Innings 159 All Out in 45.2 Overs (Mominul Haq 82, Taijul Islam 30, Kagiso Rabada 5/39, Dan Patterson 2/31, Keshav Maharaj 2/57)

Bangladesh 2^nd Innings 143 All Out in 43.3 Overs (Hasan Mahmood 38*. Nazmul Hasan 36, Mahidul Islam 29 . Keshav Maharaj 5/59, Seruran Muthusamy 4/49)

Bangladesh lost by an Innings and 273 Runs

Player of Match: Tony de Zorzi

Player of The Series: Kagiso Rabada

Playing a much more superior brand of cricket South Africa thrashed a confused-looking Bangladesh by an innings and 273 runs within three days of the Chattogram Test. This win earned them a comprehensive series whitewash and created an outside chance for qualifying for the final of the current ICC Test Championship.

Bangladesh on the other hand sunk to rock bottom failing miserably to bat in the both the innings on a docile life less wicket where less experienced South African batsmen created several milestones in the only innings, they played scoring huge 577/6. Bangladesh scored 159 and 143 in two innings failing to combat against the pace of Kagiso Rabada and spin of Keshav Maharaj. Ironically this team without off course Shakib Al Hasan playing brilliantly whitewashed Pakistan in Pakistan in not-too-distant past. Off Course they got blown away against India in both Test and T20 series thereafter. Bangladesh sacked head coach Haturasinghe and handled the issue of Shakib Al Hasan very unprofessionally. We are not sure how much the developments off the field affected the morale and psyche of the team, Bangladesh played very poorly against South Africa. The Credibility Of Bangladesh Staying In The Big League will come under scrutiny if they continue to loose badly in test cricket.

The wicket of Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium was life less and docile. There was little or no lateral movement or turn. On that batting paradise Protea batsmen made merry. Not that Bangladesh bowlers bowled badly. But some costly misses at least two catches, one stumping and a run out opportunity cost Bangladesh dear. Batting 144.2 overs in almost 2 days South Africa amassed 577/6 before declaring. Three batsmen Toni de Zorzi (177) , Tristan Subbs 106 and Willan Mulder (105*) scored their career best first test century. Two other batsmen Seruran Muthusamy (70*) and David Boddington (59) also contributed half centuries. For Bangladesh Taijul Islam was the lone warrior taking 5 /196 bowling as many as 52.2 overs .

Bangladesh on the same wicket badly collapsed in both the innings scoring only 159 and 143 respectively and staying only 45.2 and 43.3 overs at the wicket. Mominul 82 and Taijul 30 in the 1^st innings adding 103 in the 9^th wicket proved that wicket had no venom. In the 2^nd innings captain Shanto tried to resist, Hasan Mahmood at the fag end tried to entertain. Otherwise, it was an abject surrender of Bangladesh cricket, a very poor batting exhibition. Bangladeshi batsmen appeared traumatized.

There can be wins or losses in cricket. But when a team performs well below par consistently concerns are raised about its credibility for staying in the big league. Did the recent development of Bangladesh cricket affect the morale of the team? Why should a team bat so poorly in all conditions? New look BCB owe an answer to the cricket enthusiastic cricket lovers of Bangladesh.

ICC Test Championship Points Table.  

The massive win of South Africa against Bangladesh has made the race for the ICC test championship wide open. South Africa has two home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The India -New Zealand test today and the India -Australia series will decide which of the two teams will meet in the final in England in 2025.

BDST: 0913 HRS, NOV 01, 2024

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