Durban Test, Day 2: Bangladesh trail by 269 runs
South Africa concluded Day 2 of the ongoing Test against Bangladesh on a fairly dominant note. Resuming the day on 233/4, SA went to manage 367 in the first innings. For Bangladesh, Khaled Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan bowled well. Mahmudul Hasan Joy (44*) stayed put on one end. Bangladesh wrapped up the second day's proceedings on 98/4. Here are the details.
Temba Bavuma, who resumed the day on 53, managed another 40 (93) to slam his highest score against Bangladesh in Tests. Simon Harmer (38*) showed character. He stitched two 30-plus runs partnerships alongside Lizaad Williams and Duanne Olivier. Bangladesh were going strong on 80/1 at one stage before losing three wickets to finish on 98/4. Harmer was sensational for the hosts.
Bavuma's valiant knock of 93 resulted in the middle-order batter breaching the 2,500-run mark in Tests. It was his 20th Test fifty. He has now amassed 2,511 runs across 50 Tests while averaging 34.39. Against Bangladesh, Bavuma has now aggregated 256 runs in five Tests at 64.00. He's now the 23rd-highest run-getter among South African batters in red-ball cricket.
Khaled Ahmed, who is playing only his fourth Test, proved to be a chief contributor in bundling out the hosts. The right-armer wrapped up with figures of 4/92, his best numbers in the longest format. The likes of Ebadot Hossain (2/86) and Mehidy Hasan (3/94) punched SA's middle and lower-order to wind up with decent numbers.
Harmer, 33, marked his return to Tests after six years. However, the off-spinner shone with mind-boggling figures of 4/42, reaping most of the conditions at Kingsmead. It is also his best figure in red-ball cricket. He has now snapped 24 wickets in 6 Tests at 26.25. At home, he now averages a miserly 17.72 with 11 wickets across two Tests.
For Bangladesh, opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Najmul Hossain Shanto laid a crucial 55-run stand for the second wicket. They were the bulk of contributors for the visitors. Najmul's innings came to an end in the 38th over to a Simon Harmer ripper. However, Mahmudul stayed put throughout and remained unbeaten on 44 off 161 deliveries at stumps on Day 2.
