2nd Test
Day-1 Evening Session Highlights:
Tony De Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs has scored their maiden centuries as South Africa has taken early control
At The Stumps of Day-1:
South Africa scored 307/2 (1st Innings) vs Bangladesh.
Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs both recorded their maiden Test centuries as South Africa claimed the honors on the opening day against Bangladesh in the second Test in Chattogram.
De Zorzi batted throughout the day, finishing unbeaten on 141, while Stubbs scored 106, with the pair putting together a formidable 201-run partnership for the second wicket, frustrating the home side.
Both teams made several changes ahead of the match, and stand-in skipper Aiden Markram chose to bat first after winning the toss.
Markram began confidently with a well-timed cover drive, and de Zorzi capitalized on a reprieve when Bangladesh’s debutant keeper failed to take a chance, hitting a six shortly thereafter.
The openers looked solid, bringing up a half-century stand within just 11 overs.
However, against the run of play, Taijul Islam struck for the hosts, dismissing Markram as he mistimed a shot straight to mid-on.
That wicket provided Bangladesh with little respite, as Stubbs and de Zorzi continued to frustrate the bowlers for a long stretch.
Stubbs, who started cautiously, unleashed a reverse sweep for his first boundary, and the duo began to assert their dominance in the post-lunch session.
After a period of careful play, Stubbs broke the shackles with a boundary, and de Zorzi followed suit with a reverse sweep for his first four of the session, coming right after the drinks break.
As the partnership exceeded 100 runs, Bangladesh also lost a couple of reviews in a desperate bid to break their momentum.
The pair both struck sixes in consecutive overs, increasing the pressure on the hosts before de Zorzi brought up his century just before tea.
In the final session, Stubbs took charge, aggressively targeting Mehidy Hasan with several boundaries, while de Zorzi remained content to rotate the strike, particularly after showing signs of discomfort.
Stubbs ultimately reached his milestone, marking the first instance in five years that two South African batters scored centuries in the same innings.
Taijul provided a much-needed breakthrough for the beleaguered bowling unit, ending the double-century stand when Stubbs edged a delivery onto the stumps.
Just before the new ball was due, South Africa surprised the opposition with an aggressive approach, scoring a few quick boundaries.
However, bad light curtailed play early, leaving Bangladesh eager to see if they could make inroads with the new ball after just one over with it was bowled.
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