Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das make South Africa toil in Johannesburg Test

RABADA ROCKS BANGLADESH WITH EARLY STRIKES

Kagiso Rabada took a 5-wicket haul in the Johannesburg Test. Courtesy: AP

South Africa could not have asked for a better start after Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bat. Marco Jansen provided the first breakthrough off the opening delivery when debutant Mahfijul Islam Robin edged a wide delivery to third slip. Jansen made no mistake, leaving Bangladesh without a run on the board.

Rabada then took charge. He removed Mominul Haque for a seven-ball duck, with the left-hander caught behind by Ryan Rickelton, before dismissing Shanto for 12. The Bangladesh captain was undone by a sharp inswinger that crashed into his stumps.

With three wickets down for just 22 runs in 8.5 overs, Bangladesh were in serious trouble. Rabada was particularly threatening, extracting movement and maintaining relentless pressure on the visiting batters. He finished the first session with figures of 3/16 from six overs, having reduced Bangladesh to 91 for 3 by lunch.

South Africa appeared to have complete control, with their pace attack making life difficult for the visitors. Bangladesh desperately needed someone to arrest the slide, and that responsibility eventually fell on Hridoy and Tanzid Hasan, who came together with the innings in desperate need of stability.

HRIDOY, TANZID HELP BANGLADESH RECOVER

Tanzid Hasan Tamim scored a well-made 67. Courtesy: AP

Tanzid and Hridoy came together with Bangladesh desperately needing a partnership. The two batters showed considerable patience and application, refusing to let the early setbacks dictate the course of their innings.

Tanzid, in particular, looked comfortable against the South African attack. He played an assured knock, finding the boundary regularly while avoiding unnecessary risks. Hridoy complemented him with a composed approach, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries.

The pair added 99 runs for the fourth wicket, taking Bangladesh to 121 for 3 before South Africa finally found a way through. Tanzid brought up his half-century and eventually departed for 67 off 108 balls, having struck 12 boundaries. Hridoy had also settled in, laying the foundation for what would become a memorable innings.

Just when Bangladesh appeared to have weathered the storm, Rabada returned to produce another decisive burst. He dismissed Tanzid and Mushfiqur Rahim off consecutive deliveries, leaving the visitors five down for 121. Tanzid was bowled by the South African pacer, while Mushfiqur was caught by Simon Harmer for a first-ball duck.

Rabada had now accounted for all five of Bangladesh’s top-order dismissals, and South Africa had regained the momentum. It was another difficult moment for the visitors, who had worked hard to recover from the early blows. However, Hridoy remained at the crease, and Litton joined him with the responsibility of rebuilding the innings. What followed would turn the entire day around.

HRIDOY, LITTON SCRIPT REMARKABLE FIGHTBACK

Towhid Hridoy and Litton Das put on 206 runs for the sixth wicket. Courtesy: AP

What followed was a partnership that South Africa will not forget in a hurry. Hridoy and Litton came together with Bangladesh staring at a collapse, but the two refused to surrender. They understood that surviving the difficult periods was just as important as scoring runs and gradually made the South African bowlers work harder for every breakthrough.

Hridoy, in particular, was a treat to watch. Having negotiated Rabada’s fiery opening spell and watched wickets tumble around him, he began to find his rhythm. He was not simply hanging around at the crease. He took on the attack, found the gaps, drove confidently and punished anything that strayed from the right line and length.

Batting in conditions where Asian players have often found the going tough, Hridoy showed that patience and belief could be just as effective as aggression. His century, which came off 196 balls, was built on discipline, concentration and an understanding of what the situation demanded.

He continued to frustrate the hosts before Jansen brought his innings to an end with a low full toss in the final over of the day. Hridoy was trapped leg-before-wicket, bringing an end to a partnership that had completely transformed Bangladesh’s position.

LITTON STEADILY NEARS HIS CENTURY

Litton Das is 8 runs short of his century. Courtesy: AFP

At the other end, Litton was equally effective. He initially played the supporting role, allowing Hridoy to dictate the pace, but gradually opened up as the partnership grew. His crisp strokeplay and ability to find boundaries ensured that South Africa could not build sustained pressure. Having brought up his half-century, Litton continued to frustrate the hosts and finished the day unbeaten on 92.

Rabada was undoubtedly South Africa’s standout performer, finishing with five wickets for 51 runs from 17 overs. Jansen picked up the other wicket, but the remaining bowlers struggled to provide consistent support. Simon Harmer, in particular, proved expensive, conceding 83 runs from 16 overs.

Bangladesh’s 327 for 6 represented their highest-ever Test total against South Africa, making the recovery even more significant. South Africa had started the day with a wicket and managed to finish it with one, but the bigger picture belonged to Bangladesh.

With Litton just eight runs short of a century and four wickets still in hand, the visitors will look to push towards an even bigger first-innings total on day two.

– Ends

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