South Africa seem on course for victory in the second Test match against Bangladesh, at Gqeberha. Set to chase 413, Bangladesh are 27/3 at stumps on Day 3, staring defeat in the face. At the crease is Mominul Haque, with Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, and Yasir Ali to follow. However, things look bleak for them on a deteriorating pitch.
The day began with South Africa in the box seat. Having made 453 in their first Innings, they had reduced Bangladesh to 139/5. At the crease were Mushfiqur on 30 and Yasir on eight. The pair showed fight for much of the first session, adding 53 to the overnight score.
Then, with lunch looming, Yasir was caught and bowled by Keshav Maharaj for 46. He had struck six fours. And then Mushfiqur was bowled by Simon Harmer just before the break for 51, which included six fours. Bangladesh were 210/7 at lunch.
Things took a dramatic turn as the last three wickets fell just for seven runs after play resumed. Taijul Islam was caught off Harmer for five, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz gave Maharaj a second wicket when he was caught for 11. Last man out was Ebadot Hossain who fell to Harmer for a two-ball duck.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 217. Wiaan Mulder finished with 3-25 and Harmer 3-39. Despite leading by 236 on first innings, South Africa decided not to enforce the follow-on, choosing to bat again instead.
Sarel Erwee and Dean Elgar set about consolidating the South African position. They put on 60 for the first wicket, until Erwee fell for 41, caught off Taijul. Temba Bavuma and Keegan Peterson added 24 before Bangladesh got back in the contest with two wickets in successive overs. Taijul caught Peterson off his own bowling for 12, while Elgar was caught off Khaled Ahmed for 26.
Bavuma and Ryan Rickleton looked to rebuild the innings, but, after a stand of 29. Taijul had Rickleton caught by his captain Mominul for 12. As the lead approached 400, Miraz had Bavuma leg before for 30. Kyle Verreynne then shared a brief stand with Mulder as South Africa looked to score quick runs to set up the declaration. Elgar declared on 176/6, when Mulder was bowled by Miraz.
Verreynne was unbeaten on 39, scored off just 30 balls. Taijul was the most successful Bangladesh bowler with 3-67. Bangladesh were set 413 to win, but their first task was to get through to stumps unscathed.
They did not get their wish. Maharaj dismissed Mahmudul Hasan Joy off just the third ball, caught by Mulder. Things worsened quickly, when Maharaj had Najmul Hossain Shanto leg before for seven, and Harmer dismissed Tamim Iqbal for 12. Stumps were taken at that dismissal.
South Africa 453 (Keshav Maharaj 84; Taijul Islam 6-135) and 176/6 decl. (Sarel Erwee 41; Taijul Islam 3-67) lead Bangladesh 217 (Mushfiqur Rahim 51; Wiaan Mulder 3-25) and 27/3 (Tamim Iqbal 13; Keshav Maharaj 2-17) by 385 runs.