Dhaka, Oct 31 (V7N)— Bangladesh faced a tough test on the third day of their Test match against South Africa, as a batting collapse saw them lose 8 wickets for only 48 runs. Despite a resilient partnership between Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam, Bangladesh could not prevent the follow-on, ending their first innings at 159 and trailing South Africa by a massive 416 runs.

The Tigers had already struggled on Day 2, ending with 4 wickets down for 38 runs. Early on Day 3, the situation worsened as Bangladesh lost another 4 wickets for just 10 additional runs, with Kagiso Rabada taking 3 of those wickets. Captain Nazmul Shanto departed after scoring only 9 runs, followed closely by Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Anamul Haque, who all failed to make a significant impact.

However, Bangladesh found some hope in a late ninth-wicket stand between Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam. Mominul played a determined innings, scoring 81 runs before being dismissed lbw by Simon Harmer. Taijul supported him well, contributing 30 runs in a 103-run partnership before being caught and bowled by Keshav Maharaj.

South Africa, led by Rabada’s brilliant bowling, enforced the follow-on after Bangladesh's first innings ended shortly after lunch. With a mountain of runs to overcome, the Tigers will need a monumental effort in their second innings to avoid defeat.

END/RH/AJ