In a gripping first day of the Test match between South Africa and Bangladesh in Dhaka, 16 wickets fell as both teams battled for dominance. South Africa ended the day at 140/6, holding a slender 34-run lead over Bangladesh. Kagiso Rabada, Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj starred with the ball for the Proteas, while Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam delivered a stunning five-wicket haul to dismantle South Africa’s middle order.

Bangladesh struggle with the bat: Wiaan Mulder and Kagiso Rabada shine

The day began under bright sunshine, with Bangladesh opting to bat first after winning the toss. However, their top order crumbled under relentless pressure from South Africa’s Mulder, who struck early to remove Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in rapid succession. Bangladesh quickly fell to 21/3. A brief resistance from Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudul Hasan Joy followed, but Rabada ended their hopes by dismissing Rahim and Litton Das, notching his 300th Test wicket in the process. Bangladesh’s collapse continued as they were reduced to 60/6 before lunch.

Bangladesh’s lower order collapse: Rabada and Keshav Maharaj Dominate

After the lunch break, Bangladesh’s innings never recovered, with the lower order offering little resistance. Joy and debutant Jaker Ali were dismissed in quick succession, and Bangladesh were bundled out for just 106 runs. Rabada and Keshav Maharaj both took key wickets, with the latter cleaning up the tail. Bangladesh’s dismal showing with the bat left South Africa in a strong position to take control of the match.

Also READ: Fastest to take 300 Test wickets in terms of balls feat. Kagiso Rabada

South Africa’s response: Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs fall early

South Africa’s reply began poorly as captain Aiden Markram was removed by Hasan Mahmud in the very first over. Despite the early loss, Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs formed a solid partnership, pushing the score to 42/1 before Taijul entered the fray. The left-arm spinner struck by dismissing Stubbs and shortly after tea, removed David Bedingham as well. At tea, South Africa was 65/2, still trailing by 41 runs.

Taijul Islam’s five-wicket haul: South Africa collapse post-tea

After tea, Taijul wreaked havoc on South Africa’s middle order. De Zorzi, Bedingham, and Matthew Breetzke all fell to his brilliant spin bowling, reducing the Proteas to 99/5. The visitors appeared in deep trouble when Ryan Rickelton was dismissed for just 5, giving Taijul his fifth wicket. However, Mulder and Kyle Verreynne offered some resistance, ensuring South Africa crossed Bangladesh’s total and reached 135/6 before bad light brought an early end to the day’s play. South Africa finished at 140/6, holding a slim 34-run lead as both teams look to regroup for Day 2.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

South Africa would want to limit how much they need to chase in the 4th innings, which could be tomorrow at this rate!

Five-for for Taijul and his 200th Test scalp in the process. Very difficult to deal with in these conditions.#BANvSA

— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) October 21, 2024

200 Wickets in Test Cricket for Taijul. The second Bangladeshi to do so.

TJ ❤️

— Nafiu Kabir (@NafiuKaabir) October 21, 2024

Day 1, Stumps

Bad light causes an early end to the opening day of the 1st Test 🏏

SA: 140/6, lead by 34 runs #cricket #BANvSA #TaijulIslam #Bangladesh #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/Gs7G6CbSnC

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 21, 2024

Dutch-Bangla Bank Bangladesh 🆚 South Africa Test Series 2024

Stumps | Day 01 | South Africa lead by 34 runs#BCB #Cricket #BANvSA #WTC25 #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/F753aBzdhg

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) October 21, 2024

Eventful day of test cricket, 16 wickets fell on day 1. The Proteas have a lead of 34 runs with 4 wickets in hand. #BANvSA

— naeemah (@NaeemahBenjamin) October 21, 2024

3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ wickets and counting! 🔥
Rabada, you beauty! 🤩🤌#BANvSA#SouthAfrica#Proteas pic.twitter.com/0e7PxnuTVN

— Joburg Super Kings (@JSKSA20) October 21, 2024

Maharaj gets the final wicket and ends Bangladesh’s miserable innings on 106

Mulder, Rabada and Maharaj all with 3 wickets

Fantastic from SA after being put into bat#BANvSA

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) October 21, 2024

Excellent with ball in hand now we need to apply the same with the bat!! Good start to the test match for SA.

Rabada 3-26
Mulder 3-22
Maharaj 3-34
Piedt 1-19#SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/CnpBFt8Pzn

— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) October 21, 2024

If SA manage to win 5/6 tests they will get into WTC finals. They play 2 against ban away from home and 2 tests each against Pak and SL at home. in that scenario either Ind / aus will miss out getting to the finals.

— Prasanna (@prasannalara) October 21, 2024

300 Test wickets for Kagiso Rabada!

What a bowler 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/6tKAzwZGu4

— Werner (@Werries_) October 21, 2024

Taijul Islam’s five keeps Bangladesh in the contest after they were bowled out for 106… bad light causes an early end to the opening day #BANvSA

— Cricket addicted 🏏🇮🇳 (@VikashJ13660845) October 21, 2024

Also WATCH: Tristan Stubbs takes a flying catch to dismiss Litton Das on Day 1 of 1st Test

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