South African player Keshav Maharaj is confident of South Africa’s chances of winning in the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka. The hosts gave a strong fightback in the second half of the third day to stay in the game but South Africa did well. Mehidy Hasan and Jaker Ali’s 138-run stand for the seventh wicket helped Bangladesh to clear the first-innings deficit and head to stumps at 283 for 7 in a rain-marred third day as well.
“Yeah, obviously Bangladesh has done really well today. Conditions got a little bit better, if I’m honest, with a slightly used ball. But I think we’re still ahead, obviously, Bangladesh have a lead and we’ve got three wickets more to go,” Maharaj told reporters at the Sher-e- Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday. “So obviously if we can restrict them as much as possible, but I still feel we’ll be in the box seat, considering the good work that we did with the batsmen in our first innings,” he said.
“I think yesterday was probably the day that we went a little bit searching, if I’m honest. And then we got the three wickets, and I think Mehidy and Jaker Ali played really well. We threw everything at them, and I don’t think it was a case of us taking our foot off the gas. I think they played really well, and you must give credit towards the batters in that situation,” he again said.
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“I think when I first saw the wicket, it seemed very much like our Durban wicket that we play on at Kingsmead. It was quite hard. Obviously there’ll be variations of turn as the game goes on, but I think with a little bit of moisture in the air and the constant rolling, it has got a little bit better. Especially once that shine comes off the ball,” he further added. “Look, ideally we’d like to restrict Bangladesh to 100 or below, but it’s important that we start well in the morning and then assess from there.”
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s spin bowling coach Bangladesh Mushtaq Ahmed hopes that they can take inspiration from their performances in the Pakistan series as they are ready to take the fight to South Africa on the fourth day.
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“Why not? I just spoke about 26 for 6 (against Pakistan in the second Test match). When you win a Test match from there, that gives the belief. It comes from us, first of all, the coaching staff. Then obviously the players start believing that. I think you got to believe from any situation. When everyone started believing we can win the game, or we can come back from any situation, so it’s always a great environment especially when you have a fightback like that,” he said.
“Phil is a very relaxed guy. I think he believes in the environment. He is a good man. I started working with him for the first time. I think he is a good man,” said Mushtaq. “When you take over and start making decisions for any team, you know it is going to take some time. I think maybe a couple of series is going to take him to understand the culture and mindset. The senior guys are playing a huge role. The other coaching staffs are giving most of the support. The local guys are also giving him support,” he added.
