The WTC final berth is in reach, as South Africa have raced to a straightforward win against Bangladesh in the first of the two away Tests.
Day 3 came to a close, with Mehedi Hasan Miraz leading the resurgence for the hosts. They only had 3 wickets in hand, but the star allrounder got his team out of a precarious position.
SA had unfinished business, but Kagiso Rabada struck in the very first over to prevent any further comeback from the lower order. Wiaan Mulder had Taijul Islam nicking off into the slips, and Miraz would do the same off Rabada a few overs later. Unfortunately, the classy right-hander missed out on a second Test ton.
The world-class Proteas quick bagged yet another 5-wicket haul – his 15th in the longest format.
The swift finish for the Bangladesh 2nd innings set up a pretty modest chase of 106 for SA. Openers Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram got cracking with several boundaries, but it was Taijul who briefly threw a spanner in the works.
Markram was bowled, and de Zorzi went for the big shot, only to hole out to long-on. Tristan Stubbs was looking fluent, and navigated the remainder of the small chase. David Bedingham hit a glorious maximum over long-off, but nicked off with only 9 runs remaining.
In the grander scheme of things, this is a priceless win for the Proteas. They were supposed to win 5 of the remaining 6 Test fixtures, and one box has been checked today.
Tune in for the second Test at Chattogram next Monday.
BAN 106 + 307 (Mehedi 97 – Rabada 6/46)
SA 308 + 106/3 (de Zorzi 41, Stubbs 30* – Taijul 3/43)
