SA VS BAN 1ST TEST

Right then! That is it from the coverage of this game. The action now moves to Port Elizabeth for the second and final Test of the series between Bangladesh and South Africa. Bangladesh will look to bounce back in the next match and draw the series. We look forward to your company for the second Test as well. It will commence on Friday, 8th April 2022, and Day 1 will begin at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). But as you know, our build-up will begin much earlier. Do join us for the same. Cheers!

Dean Elgar, the victorious skipper, is in for a chat. He says that this victory felt pretty special. Mentions, it is not often they have seen a Test match going on for 5 days. It was a challenge for the young bowlers but they did the hard work and got the first win which is crucial. Adds, conditions played a factor, and their team selection did the trick for them. The spinners had to operate in tandem mostly due to the fading light. Says that it was a massive squad effort in the end. Adds that to have experienced players in the side helped him a lot to make some key decisions in the game. Mentions, the competitiveness is extremely healthy for both the spinners. They push each other in the nets as well. Ends by saying, this environment just helps the side to grow. Says, for now they will just enjoy the Test victory.

Mominul Haque, the skipper of Bangladesh, says that they wanted to play each ball on its merit and not think about the result on Day 5. They wanted to take the game deep but the three wickets that they lost on Day 4 cost them. Tells that they are used to playing spin but weren't able to execute their plans with the bat. Says that their pace bowling attack has been doing really well and they did try to use the moisture on Day 1 of the Test. Mentions that they should have restricted South Africa under-300 in the first innings. Adds that even though they will miss some of their main players in the next game, it gives a good opportunity for the youngsters in their team to perform.

Keshav Maharaj is adjudged as the MAN OF THE MATCH for his exceptional spell with the ball. He says that he is very emotional at the moment and is happy to take his team over the line on his home ground. Adds that it is important to bowl tight lines and lengths and says that Harmer bowled with great control which helped him. Tells that he is glad that there is shift in thinking about spinners in South Africa and applauds Harmer by saying that he bowled extremely well. Says that his whole family was watching him from the stand and it was indeed a very proud moment for him.

Time for the presentation...

Coming out to bat with a lead of 69 runs, one would've thought South Africa to set up a target above 300 runs but Bangladesh did not let that happen. Although, the visiting side was not at their best when they came out to chase the target. They lost three wickets in the final session on Day 4, before the bad light called for early Stumps. On the final day, the story remained the same for them. South African spinners only took 13 over to scalp 7 wickets, out of which 5 wickets belonged to Keshav Maharaj.

For Bangladesh a new star was born in Mahmudul Hasan Joy. The 21-year-old fought a lone battle till the very end. He became the first Bangladeshi batter to score a ton against South Africa, that too on the African soil. Bangladesh could only put up 298 runs on the board. Even this time, it was the spin twins that did all the work for the Proteas. Simon Harmer was the pick of the bowlers with a four-fer. Also, Lizaad Williams did not shy away from the opportunity and bagged three wickets in this match. These are also his first three wickets in Test career. There is a long way to go for the pacer.

After being put to bat first, South Africa managed to put up a solid total of 367 runs at the end of first innings. Dean Elgar and Sarel Erwee got off to a flying start and built a solid foundation. Temba Bavuma later joined in and stitched solid stands with the middle-order batters to take them closer to the 300-run mark. Bangladesh went with a combination of pace and spin which did wonders for them. Although, there was a period when they leaked a lot of runs and were very poor in the field as well. Khaled Ahmed was the pick of the bowler with a four-wicket haul, while Mehidy Hasan was the second best with a three-fer.

No big names, no problem! South Africa relied on their depth and have outperformed Bangladesh in the final innings of the match. Keshav Maharaj is the stand out bowler for them as he came back stronger in the second innings and bagged seven wickets to get a victory under their belt, after being wicketless in the first innings. He reminded everyone that he is the first choice spinner for the Proteas and has also managed to stretch his lead as the leading wicket-taker for the side in Test cricket. Bangladesh were listless with the blade, for once, one might've thought that with the fight the Bangladeshi batters put up in the first innings, 274 would not be a difficult target to chase down with almost a whole day's play in hand. But the spin twins had other ideas. Bangladesh got bundled out for 53 runs, this is the new lowest score by a team at Kingsmead. Not the record Bangladesh were hoping to take from this Test match.

WOW! What a dominating performance this was by the South African spinners. They ruled this Test match, to be honest. The cracks did open on the Kingsmead surface as expected. Both the spinners worked in tandem to put the Bangladeshi batters to sleep. Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer drag their team over the victory line, in the morning session itself. South Africa take a 1-nil in the Test series.

OUT! CAUGHT! There it is! Keshav Maharaj gets his seventh wicket and ends Bangladesh's misery! What a performance this has been from Keshav Maharaj on his home ground! This time he comes 'round the wicket and serves a flatter ball, on a length, going on with the arm from middle. Taskin Ahmed stays back to block but the ball takes the outside edge of the bat and goes straight to Wiaan Mulder at first slip who takes a sitter. Bangladesh are bundled out for 53. South Africa win by 220 runs!

Tossed up, on middle and leg. Taskin Ahmed defends it off the front foot.

Around middle. Blocked out.

This is an overpitched ball, outside off. Taskin Ahmed drives it through cover and takes a couple of runs.

Flighted delivery, outside off. Taskin Ahmed gets forward and defends it.

Full and outside off. Taskin Ahmed drives it back to the bowler.

Tosses it up, on off. Ebadot Hossain defends it solidly yet again. A maiden over from Simon Harmer!

Floated, full and around off. Hossain gets solid in his front foot defence.