South Africa vs Bangladesh 1st Test 3rd Day: Joy brings hope to Bangladesh

Apr 02, 2022

South Africa vs Bangladesh 1st Test 3rd Day: Joy brings hope to Bangladesh Image

In the first Test match, at Durban, opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy became the first Bangladeshi to score a Test hundred against South Africa. Bangladesh still have hopes of winning the Test match, although they remain behind in the game.

Bangladesh had closed Day 2 of the first Test match on 98/4, replying to South Africa’s 367. A late spree of wickets for off-spinner Simon Harmer had tipped the contest in favour of South Africa on Friday evening, and they were keen to make further inroads on Saturday. Nightwatch Taskin Ahmed yet to score, although Mahmudul Hasan Joy at the other end had played himself in and was unbeaten on 44.

South Africa experienced early success when Taskin was caught by Wiaan Mulder off Lizaad Williams for just a single, but Joy then found willing support from Liton Das, batting down the order. The pair added 82 when Williams bowled Das for 41. Joy then added 33 with Yasir Ali before Yasir was run out by Ryan Rickelton for 22. That brought Mehidy Hasan Miraz to the crease. He added 51 with Joy before Harmer caught him off Wiaan Mulder for with 29. 

At this point Joy decided to throw caution to the wind and attack the bowling. He managed to take his score to 137 before being the last man out, caught off Williams, He had hit two sixes and 15 fours.

Harmer was the most successful South African bowler with 4-103, while Williams took 3-54. South Africa had a first-innings lead of 69, and they extended it by six runs when bad light stopped play. Dean Elgar and Sarel Erwee had both scored three runs apiece.

Brief scores

South Africa 367 (Temba Bavuma 93; Khaled Ahmed 4-92) and 6/0 (Dean Elgar 3*, Sarel Erwee 3*) lead Bangladesh 298 (Mahmudul Hasan Joy 137; Simon Harmer 4-103) by 75 runs.