It was a momentous occasion for South Africa's batting order, as Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs each celebrated their maiden Test centuries in Chattogram. With eight and five Test caps respectively, these rising stars anchored South Africa's innings with a third-highest second-wicket partnership of 201 runs in Asia. Their stellar performances have put South Africa in an ideal spot to aim for a series sweep against Bangladesh.
Taking full advantage of the favorable batting conditions with minimal movement and turn, the two capitalized on a pitch that offered little help to the bowlers. Bangladesh's attack struggled to make a dent, with only Taijul Islam managing to pick up wickets. Despite bowling his heart out, Nahid Rana remained wicketless, despite bowling at speeds of up to 148 kph. Hasan Mahmud had a tough day as well, with De Zorzi surviving two drops on his way to an unbeaten 141.
Early Dominance by South Africa
South Africa began the day confidently, with Aiden Markram, leading the team in Temba Bavuma’s absence, and de Zorzi maintaining a brisk pace. Scoring at 4.6 runs an over, they racked up 60 runs before the first drinks break. The only scare came when Hasan found de Zorzi’s edge early on, but debutant wicketkeeper Mahidul Islam couldn’t hold on. Bangladesh soon turned to spin, which paid off as Taijul got Markram to mistime a shot, leading to his dismissal.
Markram’s wicket allowed Bangladesh to slow things down, particularly during Stubbs' initial cautious approach. While it took some time for him to find his rhythm, he broke through with a reverse sweep off Mehidy Hasan Miraz. De Zorzi reached his third Test fifty just after lunch, and both batters continued to chip away at Bangladesh's bowling.
Bangladesh’s Struggles and South Africa’s Patience
The post-lunch session saw both sides in a grind, with South Africa struggling to find boundaries as they faced Rana’s pace and Taijul’s subtle turn. Nahid adjusted his lengths well but could not create many wicket opportunities. In contrast, Hasan Mahmud managed to induce a couple of close chances, only to see them dropped in the slips.
Despite a period where runs came at a premium—just 34 runs from 13 overs—De Zorzi and Stubbs held firm. They eventually picked up the scoring rate, with Stubbs reaching his fifty and growing more assertive with a towering six off Mehidy. De Zorzi, meanwhile, brought up his hundred with a sweep through square leg, becoming only the second Black African batter from South Africa to achieve a Test century after Bavuma.
Stubbs’ Century and Late Drama
As De Zorzi battled cramps, Stubbs took the lead after tea, unleashing his aggressive side. He particularly targeted Mehidy, hitting consecutive sixes and then reverse-sweeping for four. However, his approach slowed as he neared the 100-mark, taking 39 balls to move from 88 to 100. Stubbs reached the milestone with a single to deep point, earning a standing ovation from his teammates.
Soon after his achievement, Stubbs was bowled by a low ball from Taijul. With about 30 minutes of play left, South Africa shifted gears, with De Zorzi and David Bedingham scoring freely in the final overs. Bangladesh, already without captain Najmul Hossain Shanto due to illness, was left hoping for the new ball to bring them relief. Just as Mehidy began bowling with the fresh ball, bad light ended the day’s play, with De Zorzi taking home the honors for his remarkable performance.
South Africa's Bright Future in the Subcontinent
South Africa’s confidence was evident coming into the series, despite their lack of experienced batters in subcontinent conditions. With Bavuma injured, only Markram had previously scored a century in Asia. Yet, after just one Test, South Africa now boasts four centurions in their lineup. This promising development signals the team’s growing adaptability to conditions in this region, boding well for their future tours.
Conclusion
Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs' maiden Test centuries marked a significant milestone in South Africa’s cricketing journey. Their impressive partnership in challenging conditions exemplifies the team's rising talent and resilience. While Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled to create breakthroughs, de Zorzi and Stubbs displayed patience, skill, and determination to take control of the game. With South Africa now in a commanding position, their performances offer hope for continued success in the subcontinent.
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