Mominul's Fifty Provides Hope as Taijul Stays Steady

In a stunning display of bowling, Kagiso Rabada claimed five wickets in just six overs, leaving Bangladesh in dire straits. Starting the day with a score of 38/4, Bangladesh quickly lost another four wickets within the morning session, crashing to 48 runs with just eight wickets down. To avoid the follow-on, Bangladesh needs to score 376 runs in their first innings.

Before the lunch break on Day Three, Bangladesh managed to reach 137 runs for the loss of eight wickets. The partnership between Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam has been crucial, contributing 89 runs so far. Mominul remains unbeaten on 74, while Taijul has added 18 runs.

Despite playing on a batting-friendly wicket in Chittagong, Bangladesh's batting lineup has struggled immensely. Following South Africa's declaration at 575 runs, Bangladesh appeared disoriented in their first innings. They ended the previous day with only 38 runs and four wickets lost after just nine overs.

The new day brought no respite, as Bangladesh collapsed further. After reaching 46 runs, they quickly fell to 48, losing four more wickets in the process. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who was unbeaten on four runs the previous day, didn’t last long this morning, falling victim to Rabada. The South African pacer didn't stop there; he dismissed Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Mahidul Islam Ankon in the next over.

Rabada has been sensational during his tour of Bangladesh, having taken nine wickets across two innings in Dhaka and continuing his form in Chittagong with another five-wicket haul. Achieving this feat in just 5.3 overs, he is now the top-ranked bowler in Test cricket. This marks the first time since Paul Adams in 2003 that a South African bowler has taken five wickets in consecutive matches against Bangladesh in Asia.

As Najmul Shanto departed for just nine runs, Mushfiqur Rahim stepped up to the crease but failed to score. Mehedi Hasan Miraz managed only a single run before also being dismissed. Mahidul Islam Ankon, playing in his debut match, faced just two balls before falling without scoring, completing Rabada's five-wicket haul.

With the only hope resting on Mominul Haque, he continues to battle alongside Taijul Islam as Bangladesh looks to salvage their innings.