Bangladesh could not maximize on the conditions that were on offer in the first half of morning session as indiscipline bowling by the Tigers made life easy for the in-form Dean Elgar and Co, who chose to bat first in the second Test in Gqeberha.  

South Africa brought up their hundred in the 26th over, courtesy of a mis-fielding by Mehedi Miraz in the leg-side in-field that led to a boundary, before the two teams headed for lunch on Day 1 with the hosts at 107 for one after 28 overs of play.
   
Captain Dean Elgar has continued his fine show from the first Test in Durban, scoring at a run-rate resembling the one-dayers. Elgar, unbeaten on 59, reached his fifty off 66 balls and went on to becoming the highest scorer in Gqeberha for the Proteas.

Dean Elgar (L) speaks with Keegan Petersen in the middle. Photo: AFP

Earlier, Khaled Ahmed picked up Sarel Erwee to break the fifty-run opening stand before Keegan Petersen joined Elgar to compile another half-century partnership. Khaled and Taijul Islam has kept things in check while Miraz and Ebadot Hossain have conceded over four runs per over. 
 

Khaled strikes after SA score a fast-paced fifty

Newcomer fast bowler Khaled Ahmed once again scalped the first wicket of the match for Bangladesh as he eliminated Sarel Erwee in the second Test in Gqeberha today.  

Opener Erwee, batting on 24, edged the ball to the keeper after being lured into a drive by Khaled. Liton Das grabbed a brilliant two-handed catch in front of the fielder at first slip to complete the dismissal.

South Africa are 66 for one after 16, after hitting nine boundaries so far, with captain Dean Elgar, leading from the front and scoring at a brisk pace, unbeaten on 38 off 48 balls.   

Bangladesh missed out on the opportunity to draw first blood in the third over of the match as skipper Mominul Haque failed to opt for a review after pacer Khaled struck Erwee in the pads.

Although young Khaled was confident of overturning South African on-field umpire Allahudien Paleker's not out decision, captain Mominul was caught half-hearted and could not ask for the review in time. The replay had showed that Khaled's angled-in delivery to lefty Erwee would have clipped the bails of leg stump.

Mehedi Hasan Miraz opened the bowling with Khaled, the pick of the bowlers for the Tigers, the only bowler to have bowled a maiden over as well.   

Tamim back in eleven as Tigers to bowl first

Mominul Haque has lost the toss and Bangladesh were sent in to bowl first against South Africa in the series-deciding second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha today.

Bangladesh supporters, led by Tiger Shoaib, hold their national flag ahead of the first day of the second Test cricket in Gqeberha. Photo: AFP

Bangladesh arrive into the final Test on the back of a 220-run defeat at the Kingsmead in Durban despite fighting toe-to-toe against the hosts in the first four days.  

With quicks Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam returning home due to injury after the first Test, the Tigers have made two changes to their starting eleven, bringing in Tamim Iqbal and Taijul Islam. Opener Shadman Islam had to make way for the experienced Tamim while Taijul replaces Taskin.

The Proteas, meanwhile, have kept their eleven unchanged.

"The wicket looks a bit dry and it ties in with our team concept of playing two spinners," said South Africa captain Dean Elgar.

Bangladesh skipper Mominul said he would have chosen to bat as well.

"We have to try and come back," Mominul said.

Bangladesh XI: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Tamim Iqbal, Najmul Shanto, Mominul Haque (C), Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das (wk), Yasir Ali, Mehedi Miraz, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed

South Africa XI: Dean Elgar (C), Sarel Erwee, Kegan Petersen, Temba Bavuma, Ryan Rickleton, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Lizaad Williams, Duanne Olivier