Anyone familiar with Bangladesh cricket will think twice before calling them favourites in first Test against South Africa after they lost four vital wickets to score 179 runs in the rain-hit second day on Wednesday.
\nThe Tigers collapsed from much better positions in the past to hand oppositions the advantage, a tendency which is partly responsible for their dismal record in Test cricket.
\nBut with their new-found confidence following some outstanding results in limited-over cricket, they are now a completely different outfit, one that can take their chances against any opposition.
\nAt least this is what they believe. Even the oppositions also believe it, despite being fully aware of their vulnerability in tight situations.
\nThe Tigers came within the touching distance of South Africa\u2019s first innings total of 248 runs, trailing them by just 69 runs at stumps, a deficit which they believe now can be wiped out without any fuss.
\nSkipper Mushfiqur Rahim is still at the crease unbeaten on 16 and he is being accompanied by Sakib al Hasan, who can bat with authority and they give the home side some realistic hope.
\n06If Mushfiq and Sakib can take Bangladesh something close to 400 runs, the game will turn completely to their way, said batsman Mahmudullah, Bangladesh\u2019s top-scorer so far in the innings with 67.
\n\u2018I think 400 runs are still very much possible for us in the first innings,\u2019 Mahmudllah said after the day\u2019s play. \u2018If we can do this the match is ours. All we need is another big partnership. I am hopeful because we have still got Mushfiq and Sakib at the crease.\u2019
\nSouth Africa\u2019s bowling coach Charl Langeveldt had no hesitation to admit that the game is lurking 60 percent towards Bangladesh already, but Mahmudullah claimed that they are even in a better position than it has been perceived by the opposition.
\n\u2018It would have been nice if we were able to take the lead today,\u2019 said Mahmudullah as rain forced an early stumps with 25 overs left on the second day. \u2018A lot of things depend on first innings. It will determine whether we are in driving seat or on back foot.
\n\u2018The good thing is that at present we are in a comfortable position. If we can take a big lead in the first innings they will be under pressure.
\nI think we have 60 per cent chance of winning this match at the moment. It could be even 65-35 percent in our favour. We have got a long batting line up. Usually we don\u2019t get this kind of opportunities, so we are determined to take our chance.\u2019
\nSome of Bangladesh\u2019s confidence came from the way they handled South African pacers on the second day, frustrating their pace trio Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander for a long period.
\nIt took the South African pacers 67 overs to make their mark when Philander trapped Mahmudullah in front. For a team vulnerable against quality pace bowling this was no mean an achievement for Bangladesh.
\n\u2018Pace is something which always matters,\u2019 said Mahmudullah. We faced some really quick bowlers in Pakistan Test. South African bowlers were also very quick, especially Steyn, who can swing the ball both ways. Philander is also the same. So it was really good experience for us.\u2019<\/p>\n

-With New Age<\/strong> input<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Anyone familiar with Bangladesh cricket will think twice before calling them favourites in first Test against South Africa after they lost four vital wickets to score 179 runs in the rain-hit second day on Wednesday. The Tigers collapsed from much better positions in the past to hand oppositions the advantage, a tendency which is partly … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[209,1105,12073,2213,552,1109],"yoast_head":"\n