Brief Score
South Africa 307/2 in 81 Overs (Tony de Zorzi 141, Tristan Stubbs 106, Aiden Markram 33, Taijul Islam 2/110)

On a lifeless docile wicket at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium at Sagarika, Chattogram South Africa winning the toss and batting first reached the impregnable position of 307/2 at stumps when the bat light stopped play. 

The feature of the day was the brilliant 201 2nd wicket partnership of two protean rookies Tony de Zorzi (141*) and Tristan Stubbs (106). Both made maiden test centuries dominating Bangladesh bawling on a hot summer day. Defying fatigue and cram Zorzi remained unbeaten on a well-made 141. Stubbs got out clean bowled by Taijul Islam after scoring 106. 

South Africa leading the two matches test series 0-1 has taken absolute control of the test. Wicket has nothing at all no sideways movement, no bounce or turn. Bangladesh bowlers toiling hard through out the day created few chances and half chances. However, these were grassed. Consequently, Bangladesh is now in a tight corner in a possibility of being buried under run mountain tomorrow. It will be hell of a task for the team tigers avoiding a test loss and another series whitewash. 

South Africa was lucky with the coin and electing to bat performed brilliantly. On such a wicket chances come very rarely. Bangladesh dropped Tony Zorzi at 6 by the debutant Wicket Keeper Mehedi Islam Onkon off the bowling of Hasan Mahmood. The same player again missed an easy stumping chance that Zorgi offered later. Otherwise, Bangladesh bowler sweated and toiled throughout the day on an unresponsive wicket as Protean pair Zorgi and Stubbs produced a magical partnership of 201. Zorzi defying cramp survived till the end remaining unconquered for 141. He swept and drove fluently and looked very agile and confident. Stabb also batted with guts and courage sconing 104 before getting castled by Taijul Islam. Beddington was with Zorgi batting on 18 when bad light stopped play 9 overs before the scheduled end. 

South Africa at 307/2 may bat Bangladesh out of the match unless Bangladesh regroups tomorrow and restrict them. However, we find chances very bleak. Bangladesh may struggle to save the test and avoid series whitewash. 

BDST: 1919 HRS, OCT 29, 2024
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