Another big contributor was fast bowler Mohammad Shahid, who conceded only 34 runs in 17 overs, including nine maidens in his fourth test. However it was middle-order batsman Temba Bavuma who held the innings together towards the end and scored a valuable half-century.
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Resuming the second day on seven for no loss after bundling out South Africa for 248, the hosts made slow progress against a probing attack. The star batsman, after 98 consecutive Test appearances since making his debut, has been rested for the series and in his absence his regular team-mates suffered.
Hossain dismissed Simon Harmer and Dale Steyn in the same over before Rahman ended Bavuma’s resistance to restrict South Africa under the 250-mark. Quinton de Kock blocked the hat-trick ball, then was late to the next one and lost his off stump.
Bavuma stated the Proteas can supply no excuses for their spectacular collapse and believes they’ll put their unsafe day behind them.
“The wicket will get slower, it will make scoring a lot harder”, he said at the post-day’s press conference. Prior to his heroics, the Satkhira lad slowly built up the pressure on the opposition, dishing out three straight maidens.
South Africa began well after Hashim Amla, the captain, won the toss and chose to bat. Mohammad Shahid’s six-over spell after lunch was not scored off, but not because South Africa were scared.
If South Africa wanted excuses for being bowled out for under 250 they could have found a few.
“We were on top at lunch on about 130 for 1 but to be bundled out for about 250 was not our best day”. Runs may well be at a premium against such a strong battery of pacemen, so they will need to concentrate well and take advantage of loose balls if possible.
Elgar nicked a Taijul Islam delivery behind and Du Plessis was trapped legbefore by a Shakib Al Hasan delivery that kept low. Wicketkeeper Liton Das dived to his right to take the catch at his second attempt.
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Amla looked steady during his knock of 13 runs from 28 balls. Du Plessis sent the ball five times across the boundary rope in his 122-ball stay.
