Bangladesh ended the second day of the first Test 69 runs shy of South Africa’s total of 248 after rain brought a premature end to proceedings in Chittagong on Wednesday.
The Tigers will resume day three on 179-4 with Mushfiqur Rahim (16) and Shakib Al Hasan (1) at the crease.
The rain, which allowed less than an hour of play in the final session, will probably suit both teams.
It was a pretty even day, although South Africa probably felt they did well to claim the wickets of Imrul Kayes (26) and Mominul Haque (6) in the morning session as the hosts went to lunch on 80-2.
Tamim Iqbal (57) and Mahmudulluah (67) provided the stability Bangladesh needed and shared a 89-run partnership for the third wicket.
The breakthrough came from an unlikely source in the form of Dean Elgar, who bowled Iqbal while the batsman tried to sweep a full delivery.
The Bangladeshis looked solid for most of the day even though the visitors bowled with patience and accuracy. South Africa managed to keep the run-rate in check and took wickets at crucial times to keep their hopes alive of restricting Bangladesh to a modest score.
Vernon Philander got the crucial wicket of Mahmudullah, lbw for 67, after tea just before rain stopped play with Bangladesh on 178-4. They came back for a brief time but the rain returned.
What will give the Proteas hope for day three is the fact that the new ball is due in 13 overs.
A strange decision has been Amla’s reluctance to use JP Duminy as a third spinner to give Simon Harmer a bit of a break. The only reason can be that Duminy is possibly struggling with an injury or niggle that prevents him from bowling.
However, the fact that Elgar and Stiaan van Zyl, who took the first wicket of the day, contributed with the ball is a major positive for Amla, adding to his options.
Quinton de Kock may find himself in a bit of trouble after the game after he had a brief altercation with Iqbal after the batsman was dismissed. The two players brushed up against each other as Iqbal walked. It looked as if De Kock pushed him away slightly with his shoulder.
Rilee Rossouw was fined in the ODI series for a similar incident and the same may happen to the young wicketkeeper.
Picture: AFP
