The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Shahadat Hossain's six-wicket haul and Junaid Siddiqui's unbeaten 64 enabled Bangladesh to force South Africa on backfoot at close on the second day of the first test at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur here on Saturday.

Bangladesh were 125 for four wickets in their second innings, when the bad light for the second day in a row forced the stumps to be drawn for a premature end of play.

Junaed topscored with an unbeaten 64. Captain Mohammad Ashraful with 24, Shahriar Nafees with 16 and Aftab Ahmed with 13 overcame the early storm.

The local fans were in a mood to cheer as Bangladesh have already taken a 147-run lead with six second innings wickets in hand in a low-scoring test.

Earlier, tall pacer Shahadat Hossain bowled his heart out to bundle out South Africa for 170 in their first innings. South Africa resumed today at 76 for four but Shahadat made sure that Bangladesh get valuable first-innings lead.

Bangladesh were bundled out for 192 in their first knock yesterday.

As South Africa resumed the day, the lady luck seems to smile from the word go for Bangladesh. Ashwell Prince in a surprise mix-up got himself out providing Bangladesh the early break they need to put pressure on the Proteas.

But AB de Villiers, who replaced Prince, was not in a mood to play a dour game. From the very beginning he signaled his intent with drives, cuts and powerful pulls through midwicket.

Bangladesh suffered a big lapse when Ashraful, running back from mid-off, dropped a sitter off Mohammad Rafique and the lucky South African batsman was de Villiers on 30.

Shortly before lunch, the momentum had swung towards South Africa, with AB de Villiers racing to 46 and Johan Botha offering stout resistance and support and threatening to take away the early initiatives.