Mixed bag for Vilas

Day One of the second Test between Bangladesh and South Africa was an extremely proud one for wicketkeeper-batsman Dane Vilas. It was the 30-year-old's first Test match and it took him nine years to reach this mark.

He replaced an out-of-form Quinton de Kock who struggled throughout the tour.

Hampered by consistent rain, this wasn't however the exact start that Vilas would have dreamt of. Still, he was glad to have completed his first Test catch behind the wickets. In fact he got two. The first was a brilliant take off the bat of Mominul Haque, who was trying to cut a JP Duminy delivery.

The second was the prized scalp of skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, who edged a turner from slow-left armer Dean Elgar.

"Obviously it was exciting. A bowler tends to look for his first wicket, a batsman for his first runs. As a wicketkeeper you want to get that first catch… waiting for that is actually difficult. Luckily I got one and then got another, thanks to Dean and JP," said Vilas at the post-day press conference in Mirpur yesterday.

With three days washed out, the match is headed for a draw. The players had to visit the ground in the afternoon yesterday as the clear signs provided some chances for play to resume.

However, all that the players could do was some stretching before rain compelled the umpires to call off the day. Vilas though was surprised with how dry the stadium was despite the continuous rainfall.

"We had been down here preparing to get on the park. The field has been unbelievable. We were really surprised how well the drainage works here. So it's been both sides really. Excited because of my debut and disappointed with the rain obviously," said Vilas, adding that it was his dream to represent South Africa.