Cricket

South Africa's decade-long wait for a Test victory in the subcontinent has finally come to an end, with their triumph in Mirpur marking a significant milestone for the young and inexperienced squad. The victory, their first in the region since 2014, has instilled a renewed sense of confidence and belief within the team.Despite the absence of experienced players in the subcontinent, South Africa's stand-in captain Aiden Markram hailed the win as a testament to the team's potential. "It's special. We're a pretty young, slightly inexperienced group, so to come to the subcontinent and get a win is great for us and the environment," Markram said.The victory is particularly significant given South Africa's recent struggles in the subcontinent. After their last Test win in Galle in 2014, they endured a string of heavy defeats, losing 10 out of 14 Tests. However, the win in Mirpur has sparked memories of a time when South Africa were a dominant force in the region.Between 2007 and 2014, South Africa lost only three out of 15 Tests in the subcontinent, racking up series wins over Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the UAE. They were the most successful team in Asia during that period, apart from India and Sri Lanka.However, their dominance ended in 2015, when they were outplayed 3-0 in India. Since then, they have struggled against spin bowling, which has been their Achilles heel in the subcontinent.In Mirpur, spin once again proved to be a major threat, with South Africa losing five of their top six to Taijul Islam in the first innings. However, Kyle Verreynne's brilliant century, his second in Tests, helped South Africa take a healthy lead.Verreynne's innings was particularly impressive, as he faced 115 deliveries from spinners, scoring almost half his runs with sweeps. His ability to play spin effectively was crucial to South Africa's success.The victory has also highlighted the importance of Kagiso Rabada, who took a six-for in the second innings. Rabada's wicket-taking ability is second to none, and his performance in the subcontinent has further enhanced his reputation.The win in Mirpur has given South Africa a much-needed boost ahead of their return to the subcontinent next year. They will face Pakistan and India in two Tests each, and the experience gained in Bangladesh will be invaluable."The biggest thing we take from it is the belief and the confidence that we actually can do well here as a team," Markram said. "I believe that's where a lot of the game is played, from a confidence and belief and a mental side of things. It will help the team a lot as far as moving forward and seeing if we can put back-to-back performances together goes."

South Africa's Test resurgence continued in emphatic fashion as they secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first Test at Dhaka's Shere Bangla National Stadium. This triumph marks the Proteas' first Test win in Asia since 2014 and significantly boosts their standing in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25.Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto's decision to field first proved costly as South Africa's bowlers exploited the favorable conditions to skittle the hosts for a mere 106 runs in the first innings. Kagiso Rabada led the charge with 3/32, while Lungi Ngidi and Simon Harmer chipped in with two wickets each.In response, South Africa posted a solid 308, thanks to a resilient century from Kyle Verreynne (114 off 144 balls). Wiaan Mulder (54 off 112 balls) and Dane Piedt (32 off 87 balls) provided valuable support, giving the Proteas a substantial 202-run lead.Bangladesh's second innings started promisingly, but Rabada's impressive 6/46 reduced them to 112/6 at one stage. However, a gritty knock of 97 from Mehidy Hasan allowed Bangladesh to reach 307, setting South Africa a target of 106 runs to win.South Africa chased down the target with relative ease, with Tony de Zorzi contributing 41 off 52 balls and Tristan Stubbs finishing unbeaten on 30 off 37 balls. This victory not only gives the Proteas a 1-0 lead in the two-match series but also elevates them to fourth place in the WTC standings.India (68.06) and Australia (62.50) continue to hold the top two spots, with Sri Lanka at third with 55.56 point percentage. South Africa's win improved their point percentage to 47.62, allowing them to jump ahead of New Zealand and England. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's loss dropped their point percentage to 30.56, leaving them in seventh place.

South Africa's bowlers put in a dominant performance on the final morning of the first Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur, dismissing the hosts for 307 and setting themselves a target of 106 runs to win.Kagiso Rabada, who had already taken his 300th Test wicket on day three, struck early to remove Nayeem Hasan and complete a five-wicket haul. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who had been Bangladesh's top scorer with 97, was the last man out, falling to Rabada's bowling just three runs short of a century.South Africa's bowlers had taken the remaining three wickets in just 4.5 overs on the opening morning, with Rabada finishing with figures of 6 for 46 and Keshav Maharaj taking 3 for 105.Bangladesh had resumed their innings on 283 for 7, with Mehidy and Taijul Islam at the crease. The pair added 24 runs to their overnight score before Taijul was dismissed for 12, caught at second slip off the bowling of Wiaan Mulder.Mehidy continued to bat aggressively, reaching the nineties with a boundary off Mulder. However, he was unable to convert his innings into a century, falling to Rabada for 97 when he attempted to ramp a delivery but sent a catch to slip instead.South Africa's bowlers had opted to use spinners with the old ball at the start of the day's play, but they had a new ball available as soon as play began. Rabada made immediate use of the new ball, dismissing Nayeem with his third delivery.South Africa will now be confident of chasing down the target and taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The pitch has become better for batting, and the Proteas will be looking to their top order to get them off to a good start.

Keshav Maharaj, the South African left-arm spinner, has credited Bangladesh's Tamim Iqbal for providing valuable advice that has helped him excel in the ongoing Test match in Dhaka. Maharaj has taken six wickets so far, bowling with precision and exploiting the conditions that have favored both seamers and spinners.Maharaj reached out to Tamim, his former teammate at Fortune Barishal in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), for insights into the Dhaka pitch. Tamim's guidance proved accurate, as Maharaj noted, "He read the wicket to the tee."Maharaj's performance on the third day was particularly impressive, as he bowled 37 overs and took three wickets for 105 runs. He played a crucial role in keeping the pressure on Bangladesh's batters, both in tandem with Kagiso Rabada and as the primary threat later in the innings.Maharaj's versatility allows him to adapt to different match situations. He can both create opportunities and hold up an end, as he did when Rabada was bowling aggressively. When the ball started to spin, Maharaj posed a greater threat, breaking a crucial partnership and dismissing Jaker Ali.Maharaj praised the resilience of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Jaker Ali, who put up a strong rearguard action for Bangladesh. He acknowledged that South Africa struggled to break the partnership for an extended period."We threw everything at them, and I don't think it was a case of us taking our foot off the gas. I think they played really well, and you must give credit towards the batters in that situation," Maharaj said.Maharaj's performance has been a key factor in South Africa's strong position in the match. They need just three more wickets to bowl out Bangladesh in their second innings and secure a victory.

Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz once again proved his mettle, rescuing his team from a precarious position against South Africa on the third morning of the Mirpur Test. After losing three wickets in the first 30 minutes, Mehidy and Jaker Ali forged an unbroken 89-run partnership for the seventh wicket, bringing Bangladesh within one run of making South Africa bat again.Mehidy and Jaker's resilience stemmed from their unwavering focus on playing simple shots and avoiding unnecessary risks. Despite the persistent threat posed by Kagiso Rabada, who had already claimed four wickets by lunch, the duo remained composed and determined.Rabada's early strikes in the fourth over of the morning had put Bangladesh on the back foot. Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who had looked solid on the second day, chased a wide delivery and edged it to first slip for 40. Mushfiqur Rahim, another experienced batsman, fell in a similar fashion to his first-innings dismissal, leaving a gap between bat and pad as Rabada angled the ball into him.Keshav Maharaj then accounted for Litton Das, who made only 7 after failing to score in the first innings. Captain Aiden Markram's last-second decision to review the dismissal proved fruitful, as replays showed an edge from Litton's shoulder.However, South Africa's early success did not translate into further breakthroughs in the remainder of the session. Mehidy's elegant cover drives off Rabada and Wiaan Mulder set the tone for his partnership with Jaker, who swept Maharaj for his first boundary. Mehidy launched Dane Piedt over long-off for his first six and punished Maharaj for two fours in the 49th over.Jaker also contributed with a boundary through extra cover off Piedt, and the pair reached a 50-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Mehidy and Jaker continued to frustrate South Africa, taking four runs each off Rabada in his second spell with square-cuts and pull shots.As the session drew to a close, Bangladesh were just one run away from making South Africa bat again. Mehidy and Jaker's partnership had not only saved their team from a potential innings defeat but had also given them a glimmer of hope for a positive result in the Test.

South Africa's interim coach, Dillon du Preez, has guided the team to the final of the Women's T20 World Cup, but his future in the role remains uncertain. Du Preez, who took over from Hilton Moreeng in May, has expressed reservations about continuing due to his limited experience and the team's need for additional support.Despite his initial hesitation, du Preez has overseen a successful campaign for South Africa. The team reached the final after defeating defending champions Australia in the semi-final, showcasing a fearless and aggressive approach. However, they fell short in the final against New Zealand, highlighting the need for further development.Du Preez has emphasized the importance of creating a positive team culture and providing clear guidance. He has also benefited from the addition of specialized coaches, such as batting coach Baakier Abrahams and spin lead Paul Adams.Despite their success in the World Cup, South Africa has struggled in recent series, winning only one of seven before the tournament. Du Preez acknowledges the need for improvement and believes that the team's high-risk approach will eventually yield positive results.However, du Preez's future remains uncertain. He has expressed a desire to discuss his role with the director of cricket, Enoch Nkwe, upon his return home. Given the upcoming schedule, which includes an all-format tour against England in November-December, it is likely that du Preez will remain in charge until the end of the year.Du Preez's hesitation stems from his limited experience at a high level. After a 14-year provincial cricket career, he coached at the University of the Free State before taking over the women's team in Bloemfontein. While he has developed a coaching style based on his experience and knowledge, he recognizes the need for further development.

South Africa's batters faced a challenging first evening on a turning pitch in Dhaka, but Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder's resilient partnership of 32 guided them through without further damage. However, the pitch seemed to settle overnight, allowing Verreynne and Mulder to consolidate their position and extend their seventh-wicket stand to a decisive 119.Despite the threat of Bangladesh's three spinners, it was Hasan Mahmud's pace and reverse swing that proved most effective, claiming the only two wickets of the session. However, South Africa had already established a commanding 137-run lead by lunch, with Verreynne remaining unbeaten on 77.Bangladesh's spinners, Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan, struggled to extract turn on the second morning, while Verreynne and Mulder played with confidence and composure. They effectively utilized the sweep and reverse sweep, taking advantage of the slow surface and the lack of turn.Verreynne reached his half-century with a drilled sweep, while Mulder followed suit with a cut for four behind point. Mahmud's reintroduction into the attack brought about a brief setback, as he dismissed Mulder and Keshav Maharaj in consecutive deliveries.However, Verreynne remained unyielding, anchoring the innings and guiding South Africa to a comfortable lead. Dane Piedt provided valuable support at the other end, ensuring that South Africa maintained their momentum heading into the afternoon session.

The first Test match between Bangladesh and South Africa commenced in Dhaka, marking the resumption of international cricket in the country after a period of political unrest. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto elected to bat first, citing the dry wicket conditions that could prove challenging for batting in the fourth innings.South Africa's opening bowlers, Kagiso Rabada and Wiaan Mulder, applied early pressure on the Bangladesh openers. Rabada drew first blood, trapping Shadman Islam leg before wicket for a duck in the first over. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque steadied the innings, but Mulder struck again in the third over, removing Joy for 10.Haque, the former Bangladesh captain, showed his class with a well-crafted 25, including a boundary off Mulder. However, he was dismissed by Rabada in the 10th over, leaving Bangladesh at 39/3.Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das attempted to rebuild the innings, but both fell in quick succession to Mulder and Rabada, respectively. Bangladesh were reeling at 60/5, with the South African bowlers dominating the proceedings.Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Jaker Ali, making his Test debut, showed some resistance, adding 30 runs for the sixth wicket. However, Mulder returned to dismiss Miraz for 22, and Ali followed soon after, caught behind off Rabada for 15.Bangladesh's innings eventually folded for 127, with Rabada and Mulder sharing seven wickets between them. South Africa's bowlers had exploited the conditions superbly, extracting bounce and movement from the pitch.In response, South Africa's openers, Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi, negotiated the Bangladesh bowlers cautiously. They reached stumps on day one with the score at 15/0, trailing Bangladesh by 112 runs.The match is evenly poised heading into day two, with South Africa needing to build a substantial lead to put pressure on Bangladesh. The home side, on the other hand, will be looking to strike early and restrict South Africa's scoring.

New Zealand's White Ferns etched their name in cricket history on Sunday, October 20, 2024, by capturing their maiden Women's T20 World Cup title with a clinical 32-run victory over South Africa in Dubai.The triumph marked a remarkable turnaround for the White Ferns, who had endured a 10-match losing streak heading into the tournament. However, they emerged as the most dominant bowling unit, showcasing their resilience and determination.In the high-stakes final, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine opted to bat first. Amelia Kerr (43 off 38) and Brooke Halliday (38 off 28) played pivotal roles in guiding the team to a competitive total of 158 for five.South Africa's chase began promisingly, with Laura Wolvaardt (33 off 27) and Tazmin Brits (26 off 25) putting on a 47-run opening partnership. However, the introduction of Kerr's leg-spin proved to be a game-changer.Kerr's guile and accuracy stifled the South African batters, and she claimed the crucial wicket of Wolvaardt in the 10th over. The Proteas' middle order failed to respond to the pressure, and they were eventually restricted to 126 for nine in their allotted 20 overs.Kerr finished with impressive figures of three for 24, while fellow spinner Eden Carson chipped in with two for 23.New Zealand's victory was a testament to their collective strength and unwavering belief. They had overcome adversity throughout the tournament, and their triumph was a fitting reward for their hard work and dedication.