Hridoy-Liton Record Partnership Makes It a Historic Day for Bangladesh in Johannesburg

Bangladesh’s opening day in the Johannesburg Test began with a disastrous collapse but ended on a historic note, as the visitors put together a remarkable batting recovery. Riding on brilliant knocks from Towhid Hridoy and Litton Das after withstanding Kagiso Rabada’s fiery spell, Bangladesh finished the day at 327 for 6, their highest-ever team total in Test cricket against South Africa.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bangladesh lost debutant opener Mahfizul Islam Robin off the very first ball of the innings. Rabada continued to wreak havoc, reducing the visitors to 22 runs as top-order batters Mominul Haque and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto also returned to the pavilion.

Following the early setbacks, Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Towhid Hridoy staged a recovery with a 99-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, Tanzid departed shortly after reaching his half-century, while Mushfiqur Rahim was dismissed off the very next delivery. Bangladesh found themselves under pressure once again at 121 for 5. In the process, Rabada registered his fifth five-wicket haul in an innings against Bangladesh, setting a record against the Tigers.

Following the fall of the fifth wicket, Litton Das joined Hridoy at the crease and forged a magnificent resistance. The duo accelerated the scoring after the tea break, putting together an extraordinary 206-run partnership for the sixth wicket, the highest partnership by Bangladesh for any wicket against the Proteas.

In just his fourth Test appearance, Hridoy became only the second Bangladeshi batter to score a Test century against South Africa. However, his magnificent innings of 137 came to an end on the final ball of the day when he was trapped lbw by a Marco Jansen yorker. Meanwhile, Litton remained unbeaten on 92, ending the day just eight runs short of his fifth Test century.