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The second Test match between Bangladesh and South Africa kicked off on October 29 at Chattogram’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Opting to bat first, South Africa immediately put Bangladesh on the back foot. Displaying remarkable focus and skill, the Proteas batters steadily added to the total, leaving Bangladesh’s bowlers under sustained pressure from the outset.

South Africa’s batters displayed resilience throughout the day, with each contributing to the team’s total. However, it was Tony de Zorzi who truly stole the show. The young opener reached a major personal milestone, thrilling fans and teammates alike with his remarkable performance.

Tony de Zorzi’s memorable maiden century

During the second session, De Zorzi achieved his maiden Test century, a proud moment for the player and his team. His standout shot came in the 55th over, delivered by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. De Zorzi confidently played a floated delivery outside the off stump, sending the ball over deep backward square leg to bring up his hundred. The South African team erupted in applause as De Zorzi celebrated by flexing his arms with a wide grin toward his teammates, marking the accomplishment.

With this impressive knock, De Zorzi became only the third South African opener to reach a Test century in Bangladesh, following the examples set by Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie in 2008.

Also READ: 3 players who can lead Bangladesh after Najmul Hossain Shanto’s exit as captain

South African Openers to Score Test Centuries in Bangladesh:

Graeme Smith (232) – Chattogram, 2008
Neil McKenzie (226) – Chattogram, 2008
Tony de Zorzi (100*) – Chattogram, 2024

Fans heaps praise on De Zorzi for maiden century

Cricket fans around the world took to X (formerly Twitter) to applaud De Zorzi’s remarkable achievement, celebrating his talent and dedication. Here are some notable reactions:

Lovely innings from Tony De Zorzi. A maiden Test century is always special to watch.

— Philasande Sixaba (@psixaba) October 29, 2024

TONY DE ZORZI 💯!!!!!

It’s a Maiden test match century for TDZ! Exceptional test match hundred at the top of the order for SA!! Got through the new ball and gave himself a platform to cash and boy did he cash in!!
Top knock!🔥

Well batted @Tonydezorzi33 👏 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/BsdYzX9BdX

— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) October 29, 2024

Maiden Test 💯 for TONY DE ZORZI #BANvSA pic.twitter.com/9K9Opq4oGI

— Caught & Bowled (@caught1bowled) October 29, 2024

Tony de Zorzi! Maiden Test hundred, may it be the first of many #BANvSA #CricketTwitter

— Kelly R (@KelRo736) October 29, 2024

Tony de Zorzi brings up his maiden Test hundred 💯 🏏#cricket #BANvSA #tonydezorzi #southafricacricket #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/XouKyfv795

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 29, 2024

Tony de Zorzi you beauty!!! What a great century 💯 🏏🇿🇦🔥 #BANvSA

— Gills (@gpricey23) October 29, 2024

𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲 🏏🇿🇦

Tony de Zorzi gets his first test century for South Africa. 100 from 146 balls.

Take a bow Tony! 👏 pic.twitter.com/8ZWV3cFx76

— Ayanda Nyuswa (@atnyuswa) October 29, 2024

Tony de Zorzi gets his maiden Test hundred! He’s looked so assured and confident at the crease! Well played! 👏👏👏 #BANvSA

— naeemah (@NaeemahBenjamin) October 29, 2024

TONY DE ZORZI DOES IT!

Maiden Test century!

What a knock! So well played, thoroughly deserved!

Congratulations on this milestone, Tony! Your hard work pays off! pic.twitter.com/Btv9kI0ZnE

— Akshay Tadvi 🇮🇳 (@AkshayTadvi28) October 29, 2024

Tony de Zorzi is the first 🇿🇦 opener in 16 years and just the third 🇿🇦 opener this century to post a Test fifty in Bangladesh.

SA openers to post a 50+ score in Bangladesh since 2000

Graeme Smith (2008, twice)
Neil McKenzie (2008)
Tony de Zorzi (2024)@hershybru
Top knock. pic.twitter.com/mYw9bjSxXP

— Akul Diddi (@akul_diddi) October 29, 2024

That’s a beaut of a knock by Tony De Zorzi!

Got a bit lucky being dropped early but played superbly to get his 100.#BANvSA#Proteafire pic.twitter.com/clGPRie3aB

— Conductor Bets – Sports Betting (@BrendonWessels) October 29, 2024

Very good hundred for Tony de Zorzi. Nice rhythm to that innings. Only the fifth player in that squad to make a Test hundred. Shows the inexpereince in the group.
The Trae Young celebration is becoming a bit old now though…

— stuart hess (@shockerhess) October 29, 2024

Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi during the post lunch session 🥺. pic.twitter.com/aCVgWzumtV

— Basia (@tweetsbybase) October 29, 2024

MAIDEN TEST CENTURY FOR TONY DE ZORZI..!

What an Excellent inning,First one is always special and he scored his maiden hundred in Asia absolutely Remarkable 🙌

He reach there in just 147 balls. His unique celebration says it all he’s rubbing his biceps💪🔥#TonyDeZorzi #SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/PvsoHGMhVq

— Shivam Dubey (@ShivamDubey45) October 29, 2024

What strikes me about Tony de Zorzi is that he hasn’t let the next level of international cricket affect him. He looks as comfortable at the crease as he would do domestically.

— Grant (@grantbn6) October 29, 2024

Maiden Test Hundred for Tony de zorzi ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aRrLOUIOVF

— ITZ__MSD🐐 (@Ahamed_dhoni011) October 29, 2024

Big hundred by Tony De Zorzi. Ice-cold Celebration to top it.

— Tsogo 💫 (@YoungKingTso) October 29, 2024

Yeah that was special from Tony De Zorzi , 1st test match hundred and on the sub continent, then drops the 🥶 celebration. This guy is extremely cool , fantastic cricketer. Bat on 👏

— MB5 (@MB5Plug) October 29, 2024

Also READ: Former cricketer set to become Team India’s head coach for the South Africa tour

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