The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Skipper Graeme Smith's brilliant half century and Neil McKenzie's responsible innings guided South Africa close to victory against Bangladesh in the first test of the two-match Warid Test Series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday.

The visitors opened the 2nd innings after the lunch on the 3rd day yesterday to chase an easy target of 205 runs and made 178 for 4 in 57 overs in the 2nd innings at stumps, just 27 runs away from victory with six wickets in hand.

Proteas openers G Smith and N Mckenzie gave a solid start to their 2nd innings putting on 52 runs in the opening stand.

Smith scored 62 runs off 104 balls with six fours before trapped lbw by Mohammad Rafique while McKenzie made 26 off 32 balls with two fours before being caught by Habibul Bashar at mid-on, off a Shahadat Hossain Rajib delivery.

One down batsman Hashim Amla scored a patient 46 runs off 90 balls with seven fours before he was caught by Junaid Siddiqui at slip, off a Rafique ball while Jacques Kallis added seven runs off 27 balls before being caught by Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, off a Shahadat delivery.

AG Prince and AB de Villiers remained unbeaten on 24 and 8 runs respectively as the bails were drawn for the 3rd day.

Veteran spinner Mohammad Rafique claimed two wickets for 49 runs in 22 overs with four maidens while Shahadat Hossain Rajib, who earlier grabbed six wickets in the first innings, today took two wickets for 48 runs in 14 overs in the second innings.

Earlier, resuming the 2nd innings today with overnight 125 for 4 in 48 overs, the Bengal

Tigers were all out for 182 in 73 overs just before the lunch to take an overall 204-run lead.

All rounder Jacques Kallis caused the major damage to the hosts innings taking five wickets for 30 runs in 14 overs with four maidens with Bangladesh losing last six wickets for 34 runs.

Kallis struck early as he claimed the wicket of night watch batsman Junaid Siddiqui (64*) after he added only 10 runs to his take his score 74 runs off 184 balls with six fours before giving an easy catch to wicket keeper Mark Boucher with Bangladesh score 148 for 5.

Another night watch batsman Aftab Ahmed (13*) soon followed Junaid, trapped lbw by DW Steyn, making 24 off 81 balls with one four leaving the score same (148).

Mohammad Rafique scored 14 runs off 21 balls with two boundaries before being clean bowled by Kallis while hard-hitting batsman cum pacer Mashrafe Mortaza made 11 off 12 balls with two fours before caught by GC Smith off Kallis.

Pacer Shahadat Hossain Rajib scored not out 9*, Shakib Al Hasan made 3 and Mushfiqur Rahim 2.

Proteas wicket keeper Mark Boucher made the world record with 417 dismissals sending Shakib Al Hasan to the dressing room. Earlier in the day he caught Junaid Siddiqui and Mushfiqur Rahim to equal Australian wicket keeper Adam Gilchrist's 416 dismissals.

Apart from Kallis' five-wicket haul, Dale Steyn, who captured 3/38 on the 2nd day (Saturday), finished his spell with 4 for 48 runs in 18 overs with two maidens.

Bangladesh 1st innings - 192 for all in 54.4 overs; Aftab Ahmed 44, Ashraful 34, Shakib 30, Mashrafee 29, Nafees 25, Bashar 11, Mushfiqur 7, Junaed 1, Tamim 0, Rafique 0, extras 11, Morkel 5/50, Steyn 3/27 and Botha 2/57.

South Africa 1st innings - 170 for all in 60.3 overs; Villiers 46, Amla 25, Botha 25, Kallis 17, Boucher 11, Smith 10, Prince 10, Steyn not out 7, McKenzie 5, extras 10, Rajib 6/27, Rafique 2/25 and Ashraful 1/9.

Bangladesh 2nd innings -- 182 for all in 73 overs (Overnight score 125 for 4 in 48 overs) Junaed 74, Ashraful 24, Aftab, 24, Nafees 16, Rafique 14, Mortaza 11, Sakib 3, Bashar 2, Musfiqur 2, Tamim 2, extras 9, Kallis 5/30, Steyn 4/48 and Ntiny 1/35.

South Africa 2nd innings -- 178 for 4 in 57 overs Smith 62, Amla 46, McKenzie 26, AG Prince batting 24, AB de Villiers batting 8 Kallis 7, extras 5, Rajib 2/48, Rafique 2/49.