Hridoy’s 137 Rescues Bangladesh After Dramatic Start Against South Africa
Bangladesh turned a difficult opening session into a position of promise on the first day of the Johannesburg Test, thanks to a commanding century from Towhid Hridoy and a determined contribution from Litton Das. After slumping to 22 for three, the visitors reached 327 for six at stumps, with Hridoy’s dismissal on the final ball of the day providing a dramatic end to an otherwise remarkable fightback.
Opening batter Tanzid Tamim called Hridoy’s late dismissal “unlucky,” but stressed that the innings had already delivered significant value to Bangladesh. Hridoy was trapped in front by Marco Jansen in the final over, ending a patient 227-ball effort that included 14 fours and a six. His departure came just as the visitors had begun to look firmly in control after a long period of pressure from South Africa’s attack.
Bangladesh rebuild after losing three early wickets
The start was far from encouraging for Bangladesh. South Africa struck early, removing three batters for only 22 runs and raising the prospect of a short innings. Tanzid and Hridoy responded by adding 99 runs for the fourth wicket, steadying the side and giving the middle order a platform to work from.
Tanzid made 67 before he was dismissed, and experienced batter Mushfiqur Rahim followed soon afterwards for a golden duck. With Bangladesh again in danger of losing momentum, Hridoy found a new partner in Litton Das. The pair then produced the defining stand of the day, adding 206 runs for the sixth wicket—the highest partnership for any wicket by Bangladesh against South Africa.
Their stand changed the tone of the contest. Rather than simply trying to survive, Hridoy and Litton forced South Africa to work through long spells and repeatedly adjust their plans. Hridoy combined sound defence with well-timed scoring, while the partnership ensured Bangladesh’s lower order was not exposed too early.
Tanzid praises Hridoy’s recent Test form
Speaking after the day’s play, Tanzid said it was difficult to describe how enjoyable it had been to watch Hridoy bat from the other end. The two players share a history stretching back to Bangladesh’s victorious 2020 Under-19 World Cup campaign, making the innings especially meaningful for the opener.
Hridoy has been in outstanding form in the longer format. In Bangladesh’s previous Test, he scored an unbeaten 242 against West Indies in Sylhet, setting a new record for the country’s highest individual Test score. Earlier on the same tour, he also made an unbeaten 350 for Bangladesh A against South Africa A. Those performances appear to have strengthened his confidence, and he carried that composure into the Johannesburg Test.
“The way he has been batting over the last couple of Test matches has been truly outstanding,” Tanzid said, adding that he expected Hridoy to continue producing important performances for Bangladesh. Although the timing of the dismissal was painful, the opener’s comments reflected the broader value of the innings: Hridoy had helped transform a vulnerable score into a competitive one.
Tanzid focused on contribution, not a century
Tanzid’s own 67 played a crucial role in the recovery. The opener, who scored a century against Australia earlier in the year, said he had not entered the match with a personal milestone in mind. His priority was to get through the new ball and contribute to the team’s effort.
That approach was particularly important on a day when Bangladesh lost wickets quickly. By staying at the crease and building a substantial partnership with Hridoy, Tanzid helped take the sting out of South Africa’s early success. His innings also gave the middle order time to settle, a factor that proved vital when Mushfiqur was dismissed soon after.
Tanzid also explained why debutant Mahfijul Islam faced the first delivery of the innings. Mahfijul, selected in place of Shadman Islam, had asked to take strike in his first Test appearance. Tanzid said the two discussed the decision beforehand and agreed that the debutant should have the opportunity because he was comfortable with it. Mahfijul was dismissed for a golden duck after edging Kagiso Rabada, but the choice reflected a team environment in which players were encouraged to take ownership of their roles.
Partnerships key to Bangladesh’s second-day plans
Bangladesh will begin the second morning with Litton still at the crease and the lower order needing to support him. Tanzid said the team’s immediate aim was to extend its time at the crease and build further partnerships. After surviving the early collapse, Bangladesh knows that additional runs could put meaningful pressure on the hosts.
Spending time at the crease will be especially important if South Africa can make the new ball move or generate extra bounce. A long innings from Litton, backed by useful contributions from the remaining batters, would help Bangladesh turn its first-day recovery into a stronger total. It would also make the home side bat under greater scoreboard pressure later in the match.
For South Africa, the priority will be to break through quickly and prevent the tail from extending the innings. Jansen’s late strike gave the hosts a timely boost, while Rabada and the other bowlers will look to exploit the fresh conditions early on day two. The first session could therefore shape the next phase of the contest.
Cricket prediction: a balanced contest after Bangladesh’s recovery
Any cricket prediction after one day should be treated cautiously, but Bangladesh’s recovery has made the match far more competitive than the opening score suggested. The visitors have already shown resilience, and Hridoy’s 137 has given them a platform they can build on. If Litton and the lower order add a substantial number of runs, Bangladesh could finish with a total that tests South Africa’s batting.
At the same time, South Africa remain well placed to respond, particularly if their bowlers strike early on the second morning. The contest now hinges on whether Bangladesh can turn its sixth-wicket stand into a full innings of sustained resistance—or whether the hosts can quickly clean up the remaining batters. Hridoy’s final-ball dismissal was unfortunate, as Tanzid put it, but his innings has already ensured that Bangladesh will begin day two with renewed belief.
