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Rained in: Bangladesh-South Africa Test succumbs to downpour

First draw for hosts against Proteas after eight defeats

Afp July 25, 2015

Steady rain washed out the entire morning session on Saturday, prompting the match officials to call off play with South Africa on 61 for no loss in their second innings. PHOTO: AFP

CHITTAGONG: The first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa ended in a draw on Saturday after rain washed out the fifth day’s play in Chittagong.

With no chance of a result in the weather-battered match, officials called off play at noon (0600 GMT).

South Africa captain Hashim Amla said he was disappointed over the loss of playing hours. “It goes without saying that when you come all the way from South Africa you really want to play Test cricket,” said Amla at the post-match press conference. “But you can’t really control these things. So there’s no use getting frustrated about it. I feel the game was poised in our favour, but there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Read: Day four: Rain washes out Bangladesh, South Africa Test

This was the first draw for Bangladesh against South Africa after defeats in previous eight Tests, seven by an innings margin.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim said he was expecting a better result, especially after taking the first innings lead. “Yes, it’s frustrating. It was really positive for us to take the lead against the world’s top-ranked Test side,” said Rahim after the match.

Rain had washed out the entire fourth day’s play and some 50 overs were lost on the second and third days at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Read: Bangladesh post their highest total against South Africa

South Africa, who scored 248 in the first innings, bowled out Bangladesh for 326 before making 61-0 in their second knock. Stiaan van Zyl remained unbeaten on 33 and Dean Elgar was 28 not out for South Africa.

Bangladesh’s first innings total was their highest ever against the Proteas, the top-ranked Test team.

Bangladesh’s pace debutant Mustafizur Rahman was awarded the man of the match for his 4-37, including three wickets in an over in the first innings.

The home side named an unchanged squad for the second and final Test, which will be played in Dhaka from July 30.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2015.

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