South Africa tightened their grip on the Chattogram Test, ending the second day with Bangladesh struggling at 38 for 4 in response to South Africa’s formidable 575 for 6 declared. Wiaan Mulder led the charge with a maiden Test century, joining Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs as South Africa’s centurions in this innings. Their bowlers then made early breakthroughs, dismissing three of Bangladesh’s top-order batters within the first six overs.
Despite a rare award of five penalty runs when umpires found Senuran Muthusamy damaging the pitch, Bangladesh’s batting continued to falter on a seemingly favorable surface at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
Kagiso Rabada, the newly crowned No. 1 Test bowler, struck immediately, dismissing Shadman Islam for a duck and Zakir Hasan for 2, both caught behind. Dane Paterson soon followed, inducing an edge from Mahmudul Hasan Joy, caught at second slip by Aiden Markram. Keshav Maharaj then bowled Hasan Mahmud for 3, capping off a dominant day for South Africa.
The day’s earlier session belonged to Mulder and Muthusamy, who built a record-breaking 152-run stand for the seventh wicket against Bangladesh, surpassing the previous mark of 119. This partnership came after Taijul Islam briefly shifted momentum for Bangladesh by claiming David Bedingham, de Zorzi, and Kyle Verreynne in quick succession.
While Taijul celebrated his 14th five-wicket haul, it was an expensive one, conceding 198 runs. Mulder attacked down the ground, scoring eight fours and four sixes, while Muthusamy supported effectively, reaching his maiden Test fifty with skillful strokes.
