Rain plays spoilsport

Incessant rain in the port city of Chittagong yesterday compelled match officials to call off day four of the first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa at 1:30 PM yesterday.

With two innings left on a wicket that hasn't deteriorated much, the match -- according to the current scenario which sees South Africa trailing by 17 runs with ten wickets in hand in the third innings -- is headed for a draw. In addition, the forecast for the fifth day today looks threatening as well, with continuous rainfall predicted in the port city yet again.

Unfortunately, it's not just the current Test that is in danger of being direly affected by the rain. The second Test, which is scheduled to begin at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur from July 30, might also face regular interruptions.

If the end result is indeed a draw, then this will be the first time that Bangladesh have managed to draw a Test against South Africa. They have lost all their last eight outings against the Proteas, seven of which were by an innings.

In terms of results, the expected draw may be seen as a sign of progress, but the players would definitely feel that it was an opportunity lost.

While the visitors decided to spend yesterday in the hotel, ten players from Bangladesh's 14-member squad decided to go to the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium and attend a few indoor sessions.

The players who are absent from the main team -- Rubel Hossain, Soumya Sarkar and Nasir Hossain -- stayed back at the hotel along with Liton Das. Liton, who kept wickets and batted long sessions during the Test, was given a break.

A sense of disappointment was clearly felt among the players, who arrived in the stadium at noon. It was an unfamiliar emotion considering the fact that the rains have generally been welcomed during a number of Bangladesh's Test matches, courtesy of their disappointing run in the format.

However, the disappointment yesterday was understandable considering the fact that this has been one of those rare Tests where the Tigers have been the better side from the word go.

The hosts managed to post their highest ever lead in a Test while batting second and sniffed a rare opportunity to do well against the top-ranked team in the Test circuit.

The visiting South African side would have been disappointed as well, considering the fact that they had come back well on the third day and nearly wiped off the lead. Openers Dean Elgar and Stiaan Van Zyl actually batted at a faster rate compared to the first innings and were looking like they would wipe away the 78-run advantage that the hosts had accumulated. If play resumes today then the Proteas, who haven't gotten much batting practice in the Tests, may look to bat for as long as possible.

If that happens then it would mean that Dale Steyn will not get an opportunity to take the one elusive scalp he requires to reach 400 wickets, at least not in the first Test. He will then have to look ahead to the Test in Dhaka to reach that landmark.

If he does go on to get that one wicket, he will become the second bowler after Shaun Pollock to break the 400-mark.