Bangladesh stumble in Test v Proteas

Bangladesh have stumbled in their pursuit of an unlikely victory against South Africa in their second and final Test at St George’s Park.

At stumps on day three, the visitors were 3-27 chasing 413 to win at Gqeberha on Sunday.

Proteas spinners Keshav Maharaj (2-17) and Simon Harmer (1-8) made inroads into Bangladesh’s top order on a wicket that is taking prodigious turn.

With no rain in sight, Bangladesh face a battle to claim victory judging by statistics.

The highest successful run chase at St George’s Park is 271 by Australia against South Africa in 1997.

The only other total over 200 was South Africa’s 215 against New Zealand in 1954.

Visiting captain Mominul Haque will resume on five, and will be joined at the wicket by first-innings top scorer Mushfiqur Rahim.

Bangladesh opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy scored the only century of the series in the first Test in Durban.

But he was out for his second duck in this Test, lasting a total of three balls in his two innings.

He got a thick edge to Maharaj that struck the gloves of wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne and looped to Wiaan Mulder at second slip on Sunday.

Maharaj struck in his next over, trapping Najmul Hossain Shanto (seven) in front.

The home side claimed the vital wicket of the dangerous Tamim Iqbal (13) with the last ball of the day as Harmer got bounce off the surface and the ball struck the shoulder of the bat, looping to Mulder.

Earlier, South Africa went in pursuit of quick runs in their second innings as opener Sarel Erwee top-scored with 41 and Verreynne was unbeaten on 39 before they declared on 6-176.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam finished with 3-67 for a match haul of 9-202.

South Africa bowled Bangladesh out for 217 in their first innings as Mushfiqur top-scored with 51.