Bangladesh slump to 98 for 4 in reply to South Africa’s 367 on the second day
Bangladesh 98 for 4 (Joy 44*, Shanto 38, Harmer 4-42) trail South Africa 367 (Bavuma 93, Elgar 67, Khaled 4-92, Mehidy 3-94) by 269 runs
Bad light during the afternoon meant that South Africa used their fast bowlers Duanne Olivier and Lizaad Williams for just nine overs. Harmer and Maharaj wheeled away for 20 overs and 19 overs respectively.
In Harmer’s next over, Mominul fell, to Keegan Petersen’s brilliant catch at silly point, for a duck. To compound Bangladesh’s troubles, Harmer also removed Mushfiqur Rahim in the 46th over of the innings, Kyle Verreynne taking a good catch down the leg side.
Harmer had earlier played a crucial role in South Africa putting together a competitive total. He added 34 for the ninth wicket with Williams and then 35 for the last wicket with Olivier to frustrate Bangladesh. He stepped up when South Africa needed a contribution from the lower order.
The contest was perhaps even when Khaled Ahmed removed Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder off consecutive balls in the morning session. After Verreynne was trapped lbw, Mulder edged Khaled’s next ball to gully where Mahmudul Hasan Joy took the first of his two sharp catches at gully. In the morning session, South Africa lost 4 for 53, but they bounced back strongly later in the day.
Olivier and Harmer batted out 12 overs before Olivier played back to another big-turning offbreak from Mehidy and fell lbw. Khaled finished with 4 for 92 while Mehidy with 3 for 94. Taskin, who was the Player of the Series in the ODIs, went wicketless on Friday although he put in an excellent shift with the ball.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84