BAN vs SA | Verreynne's splendid ton and Rabada's strikes give Proteas command over Bangladesh

ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

Yesterday at 4:23 PM

South Africa maintained firm control of the match, largely thanks to Kyle Verreynne’s outstanding performance, which provided them with a substantial lead. In response, Bangladesh's top order was rattled by Kagiso Rabada’s two wickets, leaving them at 101/3 after 27 overs, trailing by 101 runs.

‌Overnight batters Wiaan Mulder and Kyle Verreynne were in excellent form, aggressively targeting the Bangladesh bowlers with occasional boundaries. They forged a solid 119-run partnership, pushing the score to 224/6. Both batters notched half-centuries, putting the Proteas in a commanding position. However, their efforts were abruptly halted when Hasan Mahmud struck, dismissing Mulder and Keshav Maharaj in consecutive deliveries. As lunch approached, Verreynne and Dane Piedt were at the crease, helping the visitors reach 243/8 in 71 overs.

After lunch, Verreynne and Piedt continued to build on their innings, putting together a 66-run partnership. Verreynne reached his second Test century, extending the lead to over 200 runs. While wickets fell at the other end, Verreynne remained composed, contributing crucial runs. South Africa’s innings eventually concluded at 308, with Verreynne departing, leaving them with a lead of 202 runs. Bangladesh’s second innings began poorly, with Kagiso Rabada dismantling the top order by dismissing Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque in the third over. Despite this shaky start, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mahmudul Hasan Joy steadied the innings, reaching 19/2 in seven overs when Tea was called.

Post-tea, Shanto and Joy built a 55-run partnership, taking the score to 57/2 in 18 overs. However, Keshav Maharaj removed Bangladesh's skipper, who fell for a low score. Joy and Mushfiqur Rahim then worked to stabilize the innings, helping Bangladesh reach 101/3, trailing by 101 runs. The day was called off due to bad light, with the focus shifting to the third day of play.

What a player!

Take a bow, Verreynne! 💯

Kyle Verreynne joins an exclusive club, becoming only the 3rd designated South African wicketkeeper to score a Test century in Asia! 👏
— FanCode (@FanCode)

Good throw!

Direct hit to the:

Stumps ❌

Batter ✅

A comedy of errors during 😅
— FanCode (@FanCode)

Brilliant batter!

Kyle Verreynne scored a Test hundred while coming in at No.7 when South Africa were 108/6. 🥶
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)

Yeah!

HUNDRED FOR KYLE VERREYNNE...!!!!

- Playing in Bangladesh, it's turning, team under huge pressure and then Kyle Verreynne scored a terrific Test hundred. One to remember in this WTC cycle 🙇
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)

Yupe he did!

YEEEEES KYLE 🔥🔥🔥

What a century by Verreynne!

He has put us in control of this test match

Brilliant knock 👏🏻
— Werner (@Werries_)

he is such a class!

Mushfiqur Rahim's milestone of 6000 Test runs in his 93rd match is all the more commendable considering the limited number of Test matches Bangladesh plays...

Over his nearly 20-year career, he has played on average fewer than 5 Tests per year, significantly less than what…
— Abhishek AB (@ABsay_ek)

History created!