On a rain-affected Day 3 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, Mehidy Hasan and Jaker Ali forged a crucial 138-run partnership for the seventh wicket, allowing Bangladesh to overcome their first-innings deficit and finish at 283 for 7. The hosts now hold an 81-run lead, with Mehidy remaining not out on 87 runs.
The day began poorly for Bangladesh, as they lost three wickets within the first half-hour. Kagiso Rabada struck early, dismissing both overnight batsmen. Mahmdul Hasan was caught at slip after attempting a risky shot outside off, and Mushfiqur Rahim was bowled by an incoming delivery, marking his second dismissal of the match in the same manner. Shortly after, Keshav Maharaj induced an outside edge from Litton Das, sending him back to the pavilion.
What seemed like an easy task for the South Africans soon turned into a test of skill as Mehidy and Jaker exhibited remarkable resilience. Their partnership nearly erased the first-innings deficit by Lunch, combining calculated aggression against both spin and pace. They successfully frustrated the South African bowlers, even exhausting all their reviews by the end of the session.
Jaker celebrated his maiden Test fifty by deftly steering a delivery from Dane Piedt down the leg side for a boundary. As the second session progressed, boundaries began to flow until Maharaj trapped Jaker leg-before with a well-pitched arm ball. Despite a review, the decision stood, marking the only breakthrough for South Africa in that session. Nayeem Hasan soon joined in, sweeping Maharaj for a boundary, but rain soon curtailed the post-Lunch momentum, ending the session prematurely.
Also Read:Sri Lanka Overcomes West Indies’ Fightback in Thrilling Second ODI
After Tea, only five overs were bowled, during which Bangladesh managed to add 16 runs before stumps were called due to poor light. Mehidy began aggressively, stepping out against Aiden Markram for a boundary, but the pair settled for singles and twos, extending their eighth-wicket partnership to 33 runs.
Brief Scores:
Bangladesh 106 (Mahmudul Hasan 30; Wiaan Mulder 3-22, Kagiso Rabada 3-26, Keshav Maharaj 3-34) & 283/7 (Mehidy Hasan 87*, Jaker Ali 58; Kagiso Rabada 4-35, Keshav Maharaj 3-105) leads South Africa 308 (Kyle Verreynne 114, Wiaan Mulder 54; Taijul Islam 5-122) by 81 runs.
