Mirpur, Oct 21 (V7N)— After nine long years, cricket fans gathered with hope and excitement to watch Bangladesh’s return to Test cricket at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla Stadium. However, the home side's batting performance left them disappointed as South Africa's bowlers tore through the top order.

In the very second over, opener Sadman Islam departed for a duck, marking the beginning of Bangladesh's struggles. Just an over later, Mominul Haque followed suit, leaving the team in early trouble. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto couldn’t steady the ship either, falling to Keshav Maharaj in the final delivery of the fifth over. By then, Bangladesh had slumped to 21 for 3, with all three wickets taken by Marco Jansen Mulder.

The collapse continued as Kagiso Rabada joined the attack, uprooting Mushfiqur Rahim’s stumps in the 14th over. Liton Das, often seen as the team's last middle-order hope, couldn’t withstand South Africa’s pressure either. An extra bounce from Rabada found the edge of his bat, and he was caught by Tristan Stubbs, leaving Bangladesh in deeper trouble at 45 for 5.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz added a few runs but couldn’t stay at the crease for long, trapped LBW by Keshav Maharaj in the 26th over. At the lunch break, Bangladesh stood at 60 for 6, with little resistance shown by the batting lineup.

Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy has been the only bright spot in Bangladesh’s innings so far, displaying patience amidst the turmoil. He remains unbeaten on 16 off 86 balls, having spent 157 minutes at the crease.

As the game resumes after the break, fans are left wondering how long the remaining batsmen can hold out against the relentless South African attack. With half the side already dismissed, Bangladesh will need a miracle to avoid further humiliation on home soil.

END/RH/AJ