INTERNATIONAL DESK — JOHANNESBURG — Pace bowler Kagiso Rabada delivered a devastating opening spell to dismantle the top order, though Bangladesh mounted a resilient recovery to reach 91-3 by the lunch interval on the opening day of the first Test at the Wanderers on Sunday.
Rabada made an immediate impact by claiming a wicket with the very first delivery of the match for the fourth time in Test history, inducing a thick edge from debutant Mahfizul Islam that was safely snapped up at gully by Marco Jansen. The hostile fast bowler quickly compounded the visitors' troubles by removing Mominul Haque for a duck, caught behind by wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton, before clean-bowling captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for 12 in the ninth over, leaving the batting side reeling at 22-3.
Having won the toss and elected to bat first under bright conditions, the touring side faced severe pressure against a relentless bowling attack determined to press its advantage early. The dramatic collapse placed the initiative firmly in the hands of the hosts, who capitalized on favorable morning movement and hostile pace bowling.
Despite the early setbacks, Tanzid Hasan provided staunch resistance, compiling an unbeaten 51 runs from 82 balls. He was joined at the crease by Towhid Hridoy, who remained not out on 23, as the pair combined for an unbroken 69-run partnership for the fourth wicket to guide their side safely through to the midday break.