SA vs BAN, 1st Test: South Africa beat Bangladesh to boost World Test Championship prospects

Mirpur: South Africa have improved to fourth spot on the ICC World Test Championship standings following their impressive win over Bangladesh in the first Test here.

The Proteas improved their point-percentage to 47.62 with the victory, which helped them jump over New Zealand and England and take fourth place on the standings.

Bangladesh’s loss sees their point-percentage drop to 30.56 and they continue to languish in seventh place with India and Australia still remaining in the top two spots on the standings.

Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bat against South Africa, but the decision backfired as South Africa’s pacers and spinners thrived in helpful conditions, bowling out Bangladesh for merely 106. Kagiso Rabada, Wiaan Mulder, and Keshav Maharaj picked up three wickets each.

Bangladesh’s spinners fought back, with Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan sharing seven wickets between them but a fighting ton from Kyle Verreynne backed by support from Mulder (54) and Dane Piedt (32) helped South Africa gain a massive lead of 202 runs, an ICC report said.

South Africa bowlers took charge once more in the third innings with Rabada leading the way and had the hosts at 112/6 at one stage. However, Mehidy Hasan (97) resisted for Bangladesh, stitching important stands with the lower-order to get the side to 307. Rabada eventually finished with 6/46, his best bowling figures in Asia.

Needing 106 runs to win, South Africa had little troubles during their chase in the fourth innings, guided by Tony de Zorzi’s 41 and Tristan Stubbs’ 30 not out, taking the game by seven wickets.

The second Test between Bangladesh and South Africa will be played from October 29 in Chattogram.

Brief score:

Bangladesh: 106 (40.1) 307 (89.5)

South Africa: 308 (88.4) 106/3 (22.0)