Rabada’s 300 Wickets and Taijul’s Five-For Shine in Dhaka
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- October 22, 2024
- 12:37 pm
- 18
- Sports, Trending
Day one of the first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa was nothing short of action-packed. Sixteen wickets tumbled as both teams fought hard to take control on a tricky Dhaka pitch. By day's end, South Africa led by 34 runs. But it was Kagiso Rabada's 300th Test wicket and Taijul Islam's five-for that stole the spotlight.
Rabada’s 300th Test Wicket
Kagiso Rabada’s incredible achievement was one of the day’s biggest talking points. In the morning, Rabada ripped through Bangladesh's middle order. He reached 300 Test wickets faster than anyone in history. It took him just 11,817 balls, beating Pakistan’s Waqar Younis, who previously held the record at 12,602 balls. Rabada’s victims included two key players, Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das, both of whom he dismissed in clinical fashion.
Rabada’s first major breakthrough came when he sent Mushfiqur’s stumps flying with a delivery that zipped through the gap between bat and pad. Shortly after, he found Litton’s edge, and a sharp catch at gully meant Rabada was celebrating his 301st Test wicket. “I just focused on hitting my areas. On this surface, you always feel like you're in the game,” said Rabada after the day's play. His milestone ensured that Bangladesh’s hopes of posting a big score were shattered early.
Bangladesh’s Batting Collapse
Bangladesh, having won the toss and chosen to bat, didn’t make the most of the opportunity. With the grass cover and the early movement off the surface, Rabada and Wiaan Mulder made life difficult for the Bangladeshi top order. Bangladesh quickly found themselves in trouble at 40 for 4, with opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s patient 30 being the only resistance in the top order.
Mulder’s disciplined opening spell was crucial in Bangladesh’s collapse. He bowled with precision, taking three wickets and conceding just 22 runs in his six overs. Mulder forced left-hander Najmul Hossain Shanto to edge a tame shot to extra cover, a key moment in Bangladesh’s unraveling. "It was all about sticking to the basics, and fortunately, it worked out today," said Mulder.
Keshav Maharaj then chipped in, spinning his web around the lower middle order. Bangladesh’s innings ended at 106, a total far below expectations on a surface that wasn’t unplayable.
Taijul Islam’s Spin Resurgence
While South Africa’s bowlers dominated the first half of the day, Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam ensured the contest remained alive with his brilliant five-wicket haul. Taijul, leading the spin attack in Shakib Al Hasan’s absence, delivered key breakthroughs at crucial times. His figures of 5 for 49 helped drag Bangladesh back into the game, reducing South Africa from a solid 65 for 2 to 108 for 6.
Taijul's moment of glory came when he dismissed debutant Matthew Breetzke for a duck. He became only the second Bangladeshi bowler, after Shakib, to reach 200 Test wickets. He continued to weave his magic, removing Tony de Zorzi for 30 and David Bedingham with a low, spinning delivery that found the edge. "I just kept it simple and let the ball do the work," Taijul remarked post-match.
South Africa’s Slim Lead
Despite losing six wickets, South Africa ended the day with a 34-run lead. Their innings had started strongly, with Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs showing patience against Bangladesh’s spin. But Taijul’s late surge turned the game on its head, and by stumps, South Africa was 140 for 6, holding a fragile lead.
Wiaan Mulder and Kyle Verreynne’s unbeaten knocks provided South Africa with some much-needed stability before bad light brought an early close to the day’s play. With a lead of just 34, the game is finely poised heading into day two.
What’s Next?
As both teams gear up for the second day, the match is delicately balanced. Bangladesh will need their bowlers, especially Taijul, to continue exploiting the turn and bounce in the surface. South Africa, on the other hand, will aim to stretch their lead and put Bangladesh under pressure with a strong second-inning performance.
With the ball already dominating, day two promises to bring more drama. Both teams know that a single session can shift momentum in this low-scoring affair.
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