Kagiso Rabada took 10-63 as the Proteas thrashed Bangladesh by an innings and 254 runs in Bloemfontein to claim a 2-0 series victory.
Bangladesh were bowled out inside 43 overs in their first innings. After being asked to follow on by Faf du Plessis on day two, they collapsed to 172 all out in a similar period of time.
The upshot is that the Proteas have claimed their biggest-ever win over Bangladesh inside three days. The batsmen hogged the headlines early in the contest, with Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla, and Du Plessis all scoring hundreds. The standout performer for South Africa in this game, however, was the 22-year-old Rabada.
In the absence of Morné Morkel, Rabada assumed more responsibility as the senior seamer in the Proteas’ attack. He certainly led the way on day two, taking 5-33 in Bangladesh’s first innings.
Rabada struck twice early on day three. Bangladesh limped to lunch with four wickets down. They managed to stand firm for 40 minutes after the break, until Andile Phehlukwayo dismissed Liton Das.
Rabada showed terrific intent en route to claiming his third 10-for in Test cricket. Dean Elgar took a sharp catch to dismiss Mahmudullah and help Rabada take his 100th Test wicket in only 22 matches. At 22 years of age, Rabada is the youngest South African to reach the three-figure mark.
He wasn’t done yet, though. Rabada bowled Taijul Islam and Rubel Hossain to rack up his seventh five-for in Test cricket.
It wasn’t too long before tailender Mustafizur Rahman, who came to the crease with the intention of playing his shots, missed a straight delivery. Phehlukwayo claimed his third wicket to end the visitors’ innings.
Unsurprisingly, Rabada was named Man of the Match. ‘Hopefully I can get to 200 wickets now,’ he told Shaun Pollock at the post-match presentation.
Elgar was named Man of the Series, after scoring 199 in Potchefstroom and 113 in Bloemfontein.
SA 573-4 declared (1st innings) – Aiden Markam 143, Faf du Plessis 135 not out, Hashim Amla 132, Dean Elgar 113
Bangladesh 147 (1st innings) – Liton Das 70, Kagiso Rabada 5-33, Duanne Olivier 3-40
Bangladesh 172 (2nd innings) – Mahmudullah 43, Imrul Kayes 32, Kagiso Rabada 5-30, Andile Phehlukwayo 3-36
South Africa won by an innings and 254 runs
