Temba Bavuma came agonisingly close to ending his long wait for a second Test century but was dismissed for 95 runs on Friday as South Africa reached 314 for eight at lunch against Bangladesh.
The right-hander, who last scored a hundred against England in Cape Town in January 2016, was playing in his 50th Test match. Despite compiling 18 half-centuries since then, another three-figure score eluded him once again.
Bangladesh Fight Back with New Ball
Bangladesh struck early in the morning with the second new ball. Khaled Ahmed made a double breakthrough, trapping Kyle Verreynne leg-before for 28 before dismissing Wiaan Mulder next ball, caught brilliantly at gully by Mahmudul Hasan Joy.
South Africa slumped to 245 for six, having added just 12 runs to their overnight score.
Bavuma and Maharaj’s Resistance
Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj steadied the innings with a 53-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Just as Bavuma looked set for a long-awaited ton, he attempted a cut against Mehidy Hasan, but the ball spun sharply, ricocheted off his pad, and rolled onto the stumps. He had faced 190 balls and struck 12 boundaries.
Maharaj followed immediately, bowled by Ebadot Hossain for 19, leaving South Africa eight down by lunch.
