'It was a test of skills'

Top-order batsman Mahmudullah Riyad has said that the manner in which Bangladesh's batsmen played against the 'best bowling attack' in the world yesterday would give the hosts plenty of confidence.

Riyad, who scored 67 yesterday, was involved in an 89-run stand with Tamim Iqbal for the third wicket, which revived the hosts from a shaky 55 for 2.

"It was a test of skills for us and that honestly felt good. It was a big challenge for us to play against their bowling attack. Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel; they are all word-class bowlers.

"They were trying a lot of things to get us out and even bowled cross seam deliveries against us. We now need to utilise this opportunity since we don't get such chances often," said Riyad at the post-day press conference.

"It wasn't just about their pace. Even the Pakistan bowlers were fast. South Africa's bowlers have the ability to move the ball both ways. So if you can do well against them, you can improve your confidence levels a lot," added the top-order batsman.

Explaining the batsmen's plans, Riyad said that he stayed patient and merely waited to dispatch bad deliveries.

"It was because of the wicket that we couldn't play free-flowing shots. We had to bat cautiously because they were bowling in good areas. Tamim and I wanted to play for as long as possible and forge a big partnership. Unfortunately both of us got out," rued Riyad.

His dismissal yesterday annoyed him more than usual.

"I was quite unhappy because I was batting well. At that point I also had the rains in the back of my mind and I wanted to stay unbeaten throughout the day.

"Initially it was a little tough, but after that I got into a good rhythm. That's when I felt that I had a chance to score a big one today," said Riyad.

The top-order batsman believed that the video sessions that they had observing South Africa's bowlers prior to the Test helped the batsmen quite a bit.

While Bangladesh's batsmen stood firm against the Proteas pacers, they unexpectedly crumbled against their slower bowlers, two of who were part-timers. Tamim was out to Dean Elgar while attempting to sweep a straightforward delivery, while Imrul was stumped off Stiaan van Zyl down the leg-side. Interestingly, it was South Africa's two opening batsmen who got rid of Bangladesh's openers with the ball. And it was an aspect that Riyad lamented.

"I understand that we could have done a lot better had we not lost our wickets to the part-time bowlers, but what is also important is to not get bogged down against their part-time bowlers.

"So I won't say that the shots our batsmen attempted against them were wrong. The intent was right; unfortunately the execution wasn't. I won't say that there was a lapse in concentration," said Riyad.

With six wickets in hand and Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan at the crease, Riyad is confident that the hosts can notch up a score close to 400 -- a first innings total that he reckons will be enough to put pressure on the visitors.

"It depends a lot on the first session tomorrow. If we go wicket-less and forge more partnerships, we can do well.

"It was good to see their spinners getting turn. That should encourage our bowlers in the third innings," opined Riyad.