Durban Test, Day 4: Bangladesh need 263 runs to win
South Africa looked promising since the start of Day 4 against Bangladesh in Durban. Dean Elgar relished the scoring opportunity against the visitors. Later, with the middle-order's assistance, SA eventually pushed themselves to 204. Bangladesh looked uncomfortable facing the SA spinners. They lost three wickets before the conclusion of Day 4, needing 263 on the fifth day's play at Kingsmead. Here are the details.
How did Day 4 pan out?
Elgar took on the attack against Bangladeshi bowlers. Later, Keegan Petersen (36) and Ryan Rickelton (39) batted well to keep the score ticking for the hosts. For Bangladesh, Mehidy Hasan and Ebadot Hossain worked hard pocketing three wickets apiece. Bangladesh (11/3) had a forgettable start to the 274-run chase.. Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer bowled well to upset the visitors.
Elgar clocks his 21st Test fifty
Elgar clocked a crucial 64 in the second innings, propelling SA to a 200-plus total. Earlier, he had struck 67 in the first innings. He has now amassed 536 runs against Bangladesh at 89.33. At home, he has gone past the 3,000-run mark in whites. Across 43 Tests, Elgar holds 3,063 runs while averaging 47.12. He has struck 8 hundreds and 15 fifties.
Mehidy, Ebadot amongst the wickets
Mehidy continued to torment the hosts with figures of 3/85 in the second innings. Notably, those are his best figures against SA in an innings. Against SA, he has taken 6 wickets in two Tests. Overall, he has scalped 125 wickets in 32 Tests while averaging 34.65. Meanwhile, Ebadot picked three wickets to amass a total of 25 scalps in 13 Tests.
Taskin, Shoriful ruled out of the series
Taskin, who claimed two wickets in Bangladesh's second innings, has injured his right shoulder. As a result, the Bangladeshi pacer would be heading back home on April 5. Meanwhile, left-arm quick Shoriful Islam (back problems) too has been ruled out of the series. As per BCB Chief Selector's statement to Cricbuzz, there won't be any replacements considering Bangladesh have four pacers in the squad.
Harmer, Maharaj uproot the visitors
Spinners Simon Harmer (1/4) and Keshav Maharaj (2/7) cherished the six overs of play before bad light stopped the day's proceedings. Maharaj dismissed the likes of Mahmudul Hasan Joy (4) and skipper Mominul Haque (2). Harmer got the better of Shadnam Islam (0). With that, Maharaj has now claimed 136 wickets across 41 Tests. Meanwhile, Harmer got his 25th scalp across six Tests.
