On the first day of the first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa, the visitors proved to be the dominant force. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bangladesh struggled to get going against a strong South African bowling attack. However, it was the young all-rounder Wiaan Mulder who stole the show, picking up early wickets and putting the hosts on the back foot. Follow our live coverage for all the updates from the first day's play.
Bangladesh vs South Africa: South Africa Dominates on Day 1 of First Test
On the opening day of the first Test match between Bangladesh and South Africa in Chattogram, the visitors asserted their dominance by dismissing the home team for a meager 298 runs.
Bangladesh, who had won the toss and opted to bat, found themselves in early trouble against a formidable South African bowling attack. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi struck early, removing the top-order batsmen cheaply.
The young all-rounder Wiaan Mulder emerged as the standout performer for South Africa, taking 3/62 with his medium pace. Mulder's breakthroughs, including the wickets of Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das, put Bangladesh on the back foot.
Mushfiqur, Bangladesh's most experienced batsman, was dismissed for just 24, while Das, their leading run-scorer in recent times, could only manage 15.
Only Mahmudullah Riyad offered significant resistance for Bangladesh, scoring a gritty 65. The middle and lower order failed to provide substantial support, with only Nurul Hasan (35) and Ebadot Hossain (35) reaching double figures.
South Africa, in response, closed the day on 9/0, with Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram surviving the remaining overs.
Background
This Test series marks the first time South Africa has toured Bangladesh since 2017. The previous two-match series ended in a 1-1 draw, with both teams winning home games.
Bangladesh has been in poor form in recent months, having lost their last two Test series against West Indies and Afghanistan. South Africa, on the other hand, has won their last three Test series, including a 2-0 victory over India in January.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
In a remarkable development during the first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa, spinner Taijul Islam surpassed veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan's record of reaching 200 Test wickets in just 48 matches. This makes Taijul the fastest Bangladeshi bowler to achieve this milestone. However, Shakib still holds the record for most wickets (246) in 71 Tests. Despite this achievement, Bangladesh's batting collapse against South Africa's lethal bowling attack has put them in a tough position in the Test.
Brazilian football star Neymar Jr is finally set to make a comeback after a year-long injury. He will be playing for Al Hilal in tomorrow's highly anticipated AFC Champions League match against Al Ain. The 29-year-old, who joined the Riyadh team in 2023, had undergone surgery last year for a ruptured knee ligament while playing for his country. Despite previous concerns about his recovery, Neymar has confirmed he is ready to take to the pitch and fans are hopeful to see him in action again.
The AFC Champions League Elite is back, and all eyes are on the defending champions, Al Ain, who will take on Al-Hilal in a highly anticipated match on Matchday 3. Al Ain, managed by legendary Argentine striker Hernán Crespo, clinched their second-ever title in 2024, but are yet to find their footing in the 2024/25 season. On the other hand, Al-Hilal, led by Asia's best team, have two wins under their belt and are poised to continue their dominant streak in the competition. With both teams boasting strong offensive prowess, Monday's match is shaping up to be an intense, goal-filled showdown that should not be missed.
The Pro Kabaddi League's Season 11 (PKL 11) is in full swing and the excitement is at its peak as UP Yoddhas and Dabang Delhi gear up to face each other in their first match of the season. Dabang Delhi have already secured a win in their opening game with Ashu Malik's impressive performance, while UP Yoddhas, without their star player Pardeep Narwal, will rely on the talented duo of Surinder Gill and Bharat Hooda to dominate the game. The match, set to take place at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad, is a highly anticipated event that will be a must-watch for all PKL enthusiasts.
After a strong start in the 2024 Emerging Asia Cup, India A is set to clash with United Arab Emirates in their next game. Led by Tilak Varma, India A will look to continue their winning momentum against UAE, who have also started the tournament on a high note with a win against Oman. The match will be broadcasted on Star Sports 1 and streamed on Hotstar, as well as on the FanCode app and website.
The long-awaited comeback of the Hockey India League is finally happening in 2024, with both men's and women's teams competing simultaneously. The league will include eight men's teams and six women's teams, giving a platform for India's best players and international talent to showcase their skills. The three-day player auction will also have a new feature, with no upper limits on bidding to create a level playing field for all teams. This move aims to revitalize Indian hockey and nurture local talent, while also bringing in international expertise to the league.
Despite the absence of key players, Barcelona delivered a dominant performance against Sevilla, with a convincing 5-1 win. The highlight of the match was midfielder Pablo Torre's unexpected brace, which showcased his impressive scoring prowess. With a scoring average that rivals some of the best forwards in La Liga, Torre's breakout performance has been made possible by the trust and opportunities given to him by coach Hansi Flick. Despite his limited playing time, Torre's loyalty to Barcelona remains unwavering, proving his determination to succeed at the club. Meanwhile, in the world of MLB, Tommy Edman emerged as an unlikely NLCS MVP, while Vincent Goodwill and Bomani Jones discuss the biggest storylines as the NBA season kicks off. Although it may have ended in disappointment, the New York team's accomplishments should not be overlooked.
South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada reached a career milestone by claiming his 300th Test wicket in Mirpur against Bangladesh. The home team struggled against the pace and spin of South Africa, collapsing to a mere total of 106 runs on the first day of the opening Test. Despite winning the toss and choosing to bat, Bangladesh struggled against the relentless attack of Rabada, Mulder, and Maharaj, with only opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy managing to reach double figures.
In a crucial La Liga match leading up to next weekend's highly-anticipated Clasico, Robert Lewandowski and Pablo Torre shone brightly for Barcelona as they secured a convincing 5-1 win over Sevilla. The veteran striker netted two goals while substitute Torre also grabbed a brace, solidifying Barcelona's lead at the top of the table. Despite a late consolation goal from Sevilla, it was a dominant display of attacking football from the home team, with the win marking a triumphant return for Francisco Garcia Pimienta to his former club.