Towhid Hridoy scored 137 to lift Bangladesh to 327 for six at the close of day one of South Africa v Bangladesh at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday, after Kagiso Rabada had taken five wickets.
The recovery, built on a sixth-wicket partnership of 206 between Hridoy and Litton Das, turned a day South Africa had controlled in the morning. The two-Test series counts towards the ICC World Test Championship, so first-innings runs matter for both sides’ points.
How did Rabada take five wickets in South Africa v Bangladesh?
Bangladesh’s captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, chose to bat on a hard, bouncy pitch, and Rabada struck with the first ball of the match. The debutant Mahfijul Islam edged it to Marco Jansen in the gully, becoming the 37th batter dismissed by the first ball of a Test, SuperSport reported.
Rabada then had Mominul Haque caught behind by Ryan Rickelton for nought and bowled Shanto for 12, leaving Bangladesh 22 for three. Tanzid Hasan made 67 from 108 balls and added 99 with Hridoy before Rabada returned to bowl him off an inside edge, according to the ESPNcricinfo scorecard.
Mushfiqur Rahim was caught by Simon Harmer at third slip from his first ball, and Bangladesh had fallen from 121 for three to 121 for five. Rabada finished the day with five for 51 from 17 overs, his 18th five-wicket haul in Tests, SuperSport said.
How did Bangladesh recover?
Hridoy and Litton Das batted through the afternoon and most of the evening session. Bangladesh were 184 for five at tea, and the pair took the score past 300 before the new ball was taken after 80 overs, the scorecard shows.
Hridoy reached his century from 194 balls and survived two South African reviews. He was finally given out lbw to Jansen from the last ball of the day, 137 from 227 balls with 14 fours and a six, after an unsuccessful Bangladesh review. Litton Das was unbeaten on 92 from 138 balls.
The innings continued strong form for Hridoy. He made an unbeaten 350 for Bangladesh A against South Africa A in Potchefstroom in August and recently scored 242 not out against West Indies, Bangladesh’s highest individual Test score, according to SuperSport.
What does day one mean for South Africa v Bangladesh?
South Africa’s attack conceded runs after the morning. Harmer, the off-spinner, went for 83 from 16 overs without a wicket, Dane Paterson, recalled for this match, had none for 68, and Wiaan Mulder none for 53, the scorecard shows. Jansen took one for 54.
Temba Bavuma’s side, who also recalled Zubayr Hamza at number three, will want to take Bangladesh’s last four wickets quickly when play resumes at 10am (08:00 GMT) on Monday. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain are still to bat.
It was a busy weekend for South African sport. The national football team were held 2-2 by Kenya in AFCON 2027 qualifying on Friday (our report), and African teams won a record 74 medals at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
FAQ
What is the score in South Africa v Bangladesh?
At stumps on day one of the first Test, Bangladesh were 327 for six, with Litton Das unbeaten on 92.
How many wickets did Rabada take?
Kagiso Rabada took five for 51 from 17 overs, his 18th five-wicket haul in Tests.
Who scored a century for Bangladesh?
Towhid Hridoy scored 137 from 227 balls and shared a sixth-wicket stand of 206 with Litton Das.
Where is South Africa v Bangladesh being played?
The first Test of South Africa v Bangladesh is at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg from 15 to 19 November and is part of the ICC World Test Championship.
