Bangladesh Sets Record Against South Africa on First Day of Test

Bangladesh made a strong start on the first day of the Test against South Africa, ending at 327/6, which is the highest score by the Tigers against the Proteas in a Test. Towhid Hridoy and Litton Das showed aggression and resilience, putting South Africa to the sword on a sunny day at the Wanderers. Hridoy was eventually trapped lbw for 137 by Marco Jansen, matching Mahmudul Hasan Joy's highest individual score for a Bangladeshi batter in a Test against South Africa.

South African captain Temba Bavuma had emphasized the importance of ruthlessness in the team's build-up to the Test, but it was Kagiso Rabada who was the only one to back up words with deeds, taking 5/51, his 18th five-wicket haul in Tests. However, the rest of the bowlers failed to match his intensity, allowing Bangladesh to post a strong total. Rabada acknowledged that his team had let the opposition off the hook in the past and vowed to look into the issue.

Hridoy's 137 was a special knock, marked by his bravery and aggression, as he coped with blows to his ribs and hands during a 351-minute stay at the crease. His first-class average in South Africa is currently 487, and he has been in excellent form, having made an unbeaten 242 against the West Indies last week. Hridoy's performance was praised by many, and he seemed unfazed by verbal exchanges with some of the Proteas.

The Bangladeshi team's resilience in bouncing back from 2/2, 22/3, and later 121/5 is worthy of praise, and their total at stumps justified their captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto's decision to bat after winning the toss. The tourists were braver than the last team that played on these shores, and their partnership between Hridoy and Litton Das was a key factor in their strong position.

Litton Das shared a 206-run partnership with Hridoy, which is another Bangladesh record against South Africa. He was lively and aggressive, and his performance saw Bangladesh score at over 4.5 runs an over in the final session. Litton will resume on Monday on 92, hoping to stretch his side's innings even further.

The rest of the Proteas bowlers will have to be far more clinical on the second day if this Test is not to get any further away from the home team. Marco Jansen struggled to find the correct line, while Wiaan Mulder and Dane Paterson's pace was to the Bangladeshi batters' liking. Only Rabada caused the visitors any significant worries, and he received no support from the rest of the attack.

Bangladesh's strong performance on the first day has put them in a commanding position, and South Africa will have to work hard to get back into the game. The hosts will look to regroup and come up with a strategy to contain the Bangladeshi batters and take crucial wickets on the second day.

Key points

• Bangladesh ended first day at 327/6, highest against South Africa in a Test.
• Towhid Hridoy scored 137, matching Mahmudul Hasan Joy's highest individual score for a Bangladeshi batter in a Test against South Africa.
• Kagiso Rabada took 5/51, his 18th five-wicket haul in Tests, but received no support from the rest of the South African attack.