South Africa are commanding the Chattogram Test with two centuries from Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs against Bangladesh on Tuesday.
South Africa were at 307 for two wickets at the end of day one, with de Zorzi remaining unbeaten for 141, with ten fours and three sixes to his name.
Both de Zorzi and Stubbs hit a ton in a Test match for the first time. They put up a 201-run stand in the second wicket after Taijul Islam removed South Africa’s stand-in captain, Aiden Markram, for 33.
Taijul scalped both the wickets South Africa lost in this match so far.
He first removed Markram, then struck again, scalping Stubbs for 106. Markram went for a big shot but could not connect the ball well. Mominul Haque took a catch at the mid-on to remove him.
And Stubbs tried to play to the leg area off a low delivery of Taijul, which eventually hit his stumps.
South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first on the surface known for its friendly behaviour with the batters.
Bangladesh are playing this match with two pacers and two spinners. The hosts omitted Nayeem Hasan to include pace-bowler Nahid Rana.
Jaker Ali Anik and Litton Das were also sidelined for this. While Jaker has been suffering from a concussion, Litton caught a fever. To replace them, Bangladesh called up Zakir Hasan and debutant Mahidul Islam Ankan.
South Africa won the first Test of this two-match series, and a win or draw in Chattogram will seal the series for them.
This series is a part of the ICC Test Championship’s current cycle.
