The 1st Test: Bangladesh steady after 50s by Tamim, Mahmudullah

Hosts trailing by 69 runs with six wickets in hand against South Africa on day two

CHITTAGONG: Half-centuries by Mahmudullah Riyad and Tamim Iqbal gave Bangladesh the edge over top-ranked South Africa Wednesday as the unfancied hosts reached 179-4 before rain stopped play on the second day of the first Test.

Mahmudullah made 67 while Tamim added a patient 57 as Bangladesh reduced their deficit to 69 runs after the Proteas were dismissed for a modest 248 in Chittagong.

Vernon Philander trapped Mahmudullah leg-before just before rain ended the day’s play in the third session, swinging the game back towards the visitors after lowly Bangladesh appeared to have taken the advantage.

Mahmudullah, who hit 10 fours off 138 balls, put on 89 with Tamim for the third wicket, providing the backbone of the Bangladesh innings after the hosts resumed on Wednesday on 7-0.

Tamim, who faced 129 balls, scored his first fifty against South Africa in five Tests before he was bowled by a full toss from left-arm spinner Dean Elgar on the stroke of the tea break.

Earlier in the morning session, Tamim and fellow opener Imrul Kayes mixed aggression with caution to blunt the new ball, scoring 41 in the first hour. But occasional medium pacer Stiaan van Zyl dragged Imrul out of his crease for Quinton de Kock to complete a stumping, breaking a resolute 46-run opening stand.

Spinner Simon Harmer then took out Mominul Haque’s off stump to leave Bangladesh struggling on 55-2 before Tamim and Mahmudullah rebuilt the innings.

Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim was unbeaten on 16 and Shakib AlHasan was on one not out when rain stopped play for the second time with 25 overs still left in the day. 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2015.

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