Rain, caused by a cyclone called Komen, washed out the second and third day of the second Test between South Africa and Bangladesh on Friday and Saturday.

Chances of a result in the deciding Test between the two teams is now highly unlikely.

Dean Elgar and JP Duminy took a wicket each in the final session on Thursday to give South Africa the edge in Mirpur.

Dale Steyn (3-30) and Morne Morkel also chipped in to limit Bangladesh to 246-8 at stumps after they resumed after tea on 154-3.

The bowling attack also managed to dry up the runs and break threatening partnerships as they had a good day on an uneven surface after Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and decided to bat.

Rahim and Mahmudullah (35) started the final session batting together and compiled a 94-run partnership before Steyn had the latter caught at mid-wicket to give South Africa some reprieve.

Elgar had Rahim (65) caught by Dane Vilas just as he and Shakib Al Hasan started to get going with a partnership of 35 runs.

Rahim asked for a review, seemingly not convinced that he had nicked the ball. The footage and snicko disagreed and Rahim, shaking his head, had to go.

The scene was set for some absorbing cricket and Duminy, who finished on 3-27, struck a crucial blow as Elgar took the catch.

Duminy bowled very little in the first Test, but his contributions with the ball has been invaluable so far and together with Elgar, who also looks like a decent part-timer, they provide Hashim Amla with enough alternatives.

Amla declined to take the new ball when it became available and continued with the part-time spinners after Simon Harmer had a disappointing day with the ball.

At 220-6 the game was still evenly poised, but Morkel picked up his first wicket to remove Al Hasan for 35 before Steyn swung the day undoubtedly in his team’s favour by bowling Mohammad Shahid for one.