Miraz 87* takes Bangladesh 81 ahead

The players returned for a brief period, less than 20 minutes, before light was offered to the batters and they decided to walk off. Bangladesh had reached 283 for seven with Mehedi Hasan Miraz on 83 -- 17 short of what would be his second century in Test cricket, and Nayeem Hasan on 16.

The Tigers had added 16 runs without a wicket in the brief period after tea. Given the forecasts and the current weather, it doesn't look like the light will improve reasonably today.

And that is the day's play. No more play possible for today, and play will resume at 9:45am tomorrow unless Cyclone Dana has a saying. 

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Rain stopped play in Mirpur after Bangladesh took 65-run lead in their second innings, reaching 267 for seven an hour after Lunch on Day 3.

Mehedi Hasan Miraz was batting on 77 while Nayeem Hasan was on 12.

Keshav Maharaj earlier trapped Jaker Ali in front to break a 138-run seventh-wicket partnership that had helped Bangladesh avoid innings-defeat in the Mirpur Test against South Africa.

Jaker (58) was getting more and more confident and aggressive when Keshav Maharaj pinned him back with an armer, the replays suggesting the ball would hit the leg stump.

However, the skies soon darkened over Mirpur and rain started, the impact of a low over the bay turning into a deep depression.

Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Jaker Ali resurrected the Bangladesh innings. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

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Mehedi Hasan Miraz (55 not out) and Jaker Ali (30 not out) stitched together an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 89 runs as Bangladesh moved to within one run of avoiding innings-defeat in the first Test against South Africa in Mirpur on Tuesday morning.

At Lunch, Bangladesh were 201 for six, with the two batters mixing caution with aggression. Miraz was aggressive right from the start and then Jaker followed suit, but both showed reasonable amount of temperament on a wicket which offered variable bounce.

This was in stark contrast to the start of the day when Bangladesh lost three wickets quickly and were facing the prospect of an innings-defeat.

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Kagiso Rabada got rid of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudul Hasan Joy -- the two overnight batter -- in his second over of the morning, fifth of the team -- as Bangladesh faced innings defeat in the Mirpur Test.

Both Mahmudul (40) and Mushfiur (33) added two runs each before falling to Rabada, the fastest bowler to get to 300 Test wickets.

Mahmudul perished while trying to play a drive away from his body, only managing to edge it to slips. Mushfiqur, on the other hand, left a big gap behind his bat and pads, losing his castle in the process to an incoming delivery.

Liton Das going back to the pavilion. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Having started the day at 101 for three, Bangladesh were suddenly five down for106, still trailing by 95 runs.

Liton Das was next to fall, caught at slips off Keshav Maharaj for seven.