Rabada’s early breakthroughs and Mulder’s unbeaten century deepen Bangladesh's woes

Rabada’s early breakthroughs and Mulder’s unbeaten century deepen Bangladesh's woes

Wiaan Mulder’s commanding 152-run stand with Senuran Muthusamy propelled South Africa to a formidable 575, leaving Bangladesh struggling at 38 for 4 by stumps.

Bangladesh 38 for 4 (Mahmudul 10, Rabada 2-8, Maharaj 1-4) trail South Africa 575 for 6 dec (de Zorzi 177, Stubbs 106, Mulder 105*, Taijul 5-198) by 537 runs.

Mulder notched his maiden century, becoming South Africa’s third centurion in the Chattogram Test, where the visitors dominated on day two. Declaring at 575 for 6, South Africa’s bowlers then swiftly dismantled Bangladesh’s top order, taking three wickets in the first six overs.

At stumps, Bangladesh’s ongoing batting struggles were evident even on a typically friendly surface at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Despite five penalty runs awarded to Bangladesh following pitch damage by Muthusamy, Rabada, ranked as the world’s No. 1 Test bowler, struck immediately, dismissing Shadman Islam for a duck. He followed up by removing Zakir Hasan in his next over.

Dane Paterson then snared Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who edged to second slip, while Keshav Maharaj bowled a perfect delivery to clean bowl nightwatcher Hasan Mahmud for 3.

The second day saw Mulder and Muthusamy anchor South Africa’s innings after Bangladesh had briefly gained momentum with Taijul Islam’s three quick wickets in the morning. However, their 152-run seventh-wicket partnership set a new record for South Africa against Bangladesh, surpassing the previous Test’s record of 119.

Mulder played confidently down the ground, hitting eight fours and four sixes between wide long-off and mid-on. Muthusamy, who struck his maiden Test fifty, supported him well, rotating the strike and finding boundaries.

While Taijul claimed a hard-fought five-wicket haul, conceding a costly 198 runs, Bangladesh’s bowlers failed to capitalize, with Nahid taking one wicket and both Hasan Mahmud and Mehidy Hasan Miraz going wicketless.