Spin troubled Bangladesh late on the second day of their first Test against South Africa as the Tigers lost quick wickets after getting into commanding positions at Kingsmead in Durban today. 

Off-spinner Simon Harmer, who had earlier scored crucial runs at the death to help South Africa post a formidable 367 in the first-innings, turned things around almost single-handedly with the ball in hand as he scalped all the four wickets that Tigers lost on the day. 

However, despite Harmer getting the ball to turn, Joy remained firm at one end, scoring a gritty 141-ball 44 as Bangladesh reached 98 for four, still trailing by 269 runs, before stumps.  

Harmer scalped all of the three crucial wickets -- those of Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, skipper Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim -- to sway the momentum towards the hosts after Bangladesh had gotten off to a decent start. 

The 33-year-old, who returned to the squad after more than six years, first removed Shadman Islam (9 off 33) just before Tea to disrupt the Tigers' rhythm following a decent start.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Najmul Hossain Shanto steadied things in the middle post-Tea through a 55-run stand between themselves. While Joy remained cautious, Shanto did not shy away from playing his shots, going down the track to hit Harmer out of the ground twice. 

However, Shanto, who was starting to be a bit impatient in the middle, was undone by a peach of a Harmer delivery that turned sharply to beat the edge off the willow of the left-hander and clip the off-stump. Shanto had to walk off after an 87-ball 38 late in the final session to compound Bangladesh's troubles. 

The Tigers were thrown further into the pit when, soon after Shanto's dismissal, Mominul was caught at silly mid-off. Also, experienced Mushfiqur followed suit quickly, unnecessarily poking at a delivery down the leg side only to glove it back to the wicketkeeper. 

For Bangladesh, who sent Taskin Ahmed as the night watchman after Mushfiqur's dismissal, all hopes will lie on Joy. The youngster, despite being tested time and again by Harmer's spin and turn, remained defensively solid throughout.     

Shadman's wicket spoils Tigers' solid start 

Bangladesh could have gone for the Tea with their tail up but the wicket of opener Shadman Islam marred a solid start for the visitors on Day 2 of their first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban today. 

Off-spinner Simon Harmer's delivery kept low and Shadman, who was on his backfoot, failed to get his bat down in time as he saw his stumps disturbed. With the wicket of Shadman (9 off 33), umpires signaled for Tea. Bangladesh were 25 for one after 10.3 overs. 

However, before the wicket of Shadman late in the second session, Bangladesh openers looked solid in their approach. Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who took two brilliant catches at gully earlier, seemed to be in exquisite touch as he started off with a well-timed straight drive off pacer Lizaad Williams. 

Joy, who is unbeaten on 16 of 30 deliveries, got his second boundary when he put a Duanne Olivier delivery through midwicket. 

Even Shadman, who had been much more cautious in his approach, looked to be getting into the groove when he timed a Williams delivery to perfection through midwicket for his only boundary.  

Bangladesh pacer Khaled Ahmed celebrates taking a wicket. Photo: AFP

Khaled gets four-for but SA end with formidable total

Pacer Khaled Ahmed returned his career-best figures in an innings in a Test as Bangladesh bundled out South Africa post-lunch on Day 2 of the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban today. 

Khaled, playing only in his fourth Test, returned figures of four for 92 in 25 overs. However, despite Khaled's exploits, South Africa ended with a formidable first-innings total of 367 all out, thanks to some lusty blows from tail-ender Simon Harmer at the death.

It got frustrating for the Tigers near the end as Harmer starred in crucial stands of 34 and 35 runs with Lizaad Williams and Duanne Olivier for the last two wickets respectively. The hosts' innings came to an end when Olivier was trapped in front by Mehedi Hasan Miraz, who ended with impressive figures of three for 94 in 40 overs that featured eight maidens. 

Khaled, in for injured Shoriful Islam, has really capitalised on the opportunity as he produced a brilliant display of fast bowling. Even though he leaked runs at times, the 29-year-old's pace, swing and precision had batters' edge beaten on a number of occasions throughout the game.

The right-arm pacer, who had only one wicket to show for from his previous three Tests, scalped three Protea wickets alone today. It was his successive wickets – those of Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder – in the morning session that saw Bangladesh pile up the pressure on the hosts. 

Khaled got his fourth wicket just after returning from the lunch break when he had induced the edge off the willow of Lizaad Williams and Mahmudul Hasan Joy took yet another stunning catch at gully. 

Bangladesh had dominated from the beginning of play on the second day of the Test. After the Tigers had scalped four in the morning session and had reduced South Africa to 314 for eight before lunch, the Proteas only looked to score as many runs as possible since returning from the break. 

Harmer succeeded in that regard as the right-hander was able to smash a few boundaries and score some quick boundaries to help South Africa amass a formidable first-innings total. Harmer remained unbeaten on 38 off 73 deliveries, featuring four boundaries and a maximum. 

Meanwhile, it was, however, Temba Bavuma's 93, skipper Dean Elgar's 67 alongside Sarel Erwee's 41 that contributed to South Africa's score.