BAN vs SA 2nd Test Day-1: Elgar, Pietersen and Bavuma’s brilliant fifty, South Africa strong against Bangladesh

Gakberha (South Africa): Dean Elgar, Temba Bavuma and Keegan Pietersen scored half-centuries as South Africa posted 278 for five in 90 overs at stumps on the first day of the second Test against Bangladesh on Friday. Bangladesh bowlers, however, made a comeback in the match after picking up two wickets in the last half-hour of play. Wian Mulder (00) was present at the crease along with wicketkeeper Kyle Wren (10) at the time of stumps. South Africa captain Elgar scored 70, Pietersen 64 and Temba Bavuma 67 to help put the team in a strong position.

Electing to bat after winning the toss, South Africa got off to a good start with a 52-run partnership between Elgar and Sarel RV (24). Bangladesh’s only breakthrough in the morning session came in the form of RV, who touched the bat on a going out delivery from Khalid Ahmed and was caught by wicketkeeper Liton Das. Elgar and Pietersen then troubled the Bangladesh bowlers with an 81-run partnership for the second wicket. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, who returned to the team in this Test match, showed both the players the way to the pavilion.

Elgar gave a catch to wicketkeeper Liton Das. He hit 10 fours in an innings of 89 balls. Pietersen then shared a 51-run partnership with Temba Bavuma. He went leg before hitting nine fours in his 124-ball innings. The on-field umpire did not give him out but Bangladesh resorted to DRS after which the third umpire changed the decision. Bavuma then got good support from Ryan Rickleton, playing the second Test match of his career.

In the last session of the day, both were batting brilliantly to take South Africa towards a big score when Taijul broke the 83-run partnership for the fourth wicket by getting Rickleton caught by Yasir Ali. Rickleton made 42 off 82 balls. In the 85th over of the day, Khalid Ahmed got Bavuma out and brought Bangladesh back in the match. With this wicket, South Africa’s score went from 267 for three to 278 for five.

Bavuma played a half-century for the 19th time in a restrained innings of 162 balls, hitting seven fours. For Bangladesh, Taijul took three for 77 while Khalid took two wickets for 59 runs. South Africa lead 1-0 in the two-Test series, having won the first Test in Durban by 220 runs. South Africa made no changes in the team that won the first Test while Bangladesh made two changes in the playing XI. Taijul Islam has been included in the XI along with opener Tamim Iqbal.