Shakib and Liton Das Give Bangladesh The lead Against SA

Bangladesh

0

Shakib Al Hasan ushered Bangladesh into the lead under a light drizzle, which fell for most of the morning session but did not get heavy enough to interrupt play. Bangladesh’s best player was positive against the old and new balls, against seam and spin, with his captain at the other end, and also when the least-experienced batsmen in the line-up, Liton Das, joined him.

Shakib’s sixth-wicket stand with Das, which stood at 57 runs at lunch, could prove the most crucial of the match. It began with Bangladesh 53 runs behind, after Dale Steyn had made his first incision of the series. If there was a moment when the balance could be tipped, that was it. South Africa could see their way into the tail but Bangladesh successfully blotted that out.

They continued to blunt an attack that has struggled to adapt to unfamiliar conditions. Steyn continued to search for movement without success but resisted resorting to the short ball. Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel were both disciplined without being threatening and though Simon Harmer found turn, Bangladesh’s batsmen were confident against him, especially as they got closer to the lead.

Bangladesh began the day energetically with Mushfiqur trying to get as many runs off the old ball as possible. He got them mainly off Steyn, who was used first. Just as Hashim Amla may have considered taking Steyn out of the attack to give him a break ahead of the new ball, he struck with a length ball that rapped Mushfiqur on the pads. Umpire Joe Wilson was not convinced but South Africa asked for a review which revealed no inside edge and showed the ball was going on to hit middle stump. The wicket was Steyn’s first in the innings and took him to 397 overall. Amla kept Steyn on for one more over to see if he could get South Africa into the tail but Das’ defences held firm.

The new ball was taken after 81 overs, with Bangladesh 37 runs behind. Philander and Morkel shared it before Steyn was brought back. Harmer was operating at the other end and that was Das’ cue to attack. HIs footwork and placement became more assured and it was fitting that he was also the man who put Bangladesh in front, with a pin-point drive down the ground off Steyn on the stroke of lunch. That shot illustrated Bangladesh’s dominance in this match so far.

Source