Bangladesh vs South Africa,1st Test, Day 3: Rainwashed Day yet Bangladesh fightback

Bad light forced an early end to the third day's play of the Dhaka Test at 4pm local time, an hour before the scheduled close. Bangladesh, having fought back strongly, lead by 81 runs with South Africa still needing three wickets. The hosts finished the day on 283 for 7, with key contributions from half-centurions Mehidy Hasan Miraz and debutant Jaker Ali.

Play was halted at 3:17pm after 17 minutes under floodlights at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. Earlier, a 78-minute delay occurred due to rain at 1:42pm, caused by unseasonal weather from a depression in the Bay of Bengal, forecasted to develop into a cyclone by Wednesday.

Mehidy was the hero of the day for Bangladesh, registering his fourth half-century of the year and rescuing his side from a precarious position. At 112 for 6, Mehidy and Jaker combined to put on a vital 138-run partnership for the seventh wicket, marking Bangladesh's third century stand for the seventh wicket in their last five Tests.

Mehidy, batting with confidence, struck nine fours and a six in his 171-ball innings, helping Jaker settle after a first-innings score of just 2. However, the day began disastrously for Bangladesh, losing three wickets in the first 30 minutes of play while trying to save the Test.

Kagiso Rabada removed both overnight batters, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mushfiqur Rahim, within the first four overs. Mahmudul edged a wide delivery to first slip after scoring 40, and Rabada later rattled Mushfiqur’s middle stump with a delivery reminiscent of his first-innings dismissal, where he lost two stumps; this time, it was the middle pole.

Shortly after, Litton Das was caught behind off Keshav Maharaj, reducing Bangladesh to 112 for 6 and leaving them in danger of an innings defeat. However, Mehidy and Jaker dug in, navigating through a difficult first session and helping Bangladesh surpass South Africa’s 202-run first-innings lead.

Jaker, playing a supporting role to Mehidy, looked solid through the covers and hit two fours through fine leg, including one that brought up his half-century. He also confidently pulled Rabada for a boundary and struck three fours off him, twice through the off side and once with a pull shot.

Mehidy, meanwhile, was particularly effective against Maharaj, hitting him for four boundaries through the covers, both along the ground and lofted. He dealt with spin well as Bangladesh closed in on South Africa’s lead by lunch.

In the second session, rain delayed play for 78 minutes. Before the interruption, Jaker had reached his maiden Test fifty. He was eventually dismissed lbw to Maharaj, missing a leg-side flick, and though the appeal was casual, replays confirmed it was the right call. Jaker’s patient innings of 111 balls included seven fours.