Verreynne century puts South Africa in command against Bangladesh in 1st Test

Mirpur, Dhaka (Bangladesh), Oct 22 (AP) Kyle Verreynne's century helped South Africa tighten its grip on Bangladesh in the opening Test on Tuesday.
     Verreynne's 114, his second Test ton, pushed South Africa to 308 and a 202-run lead in the first innings. When bad light forced stumps on day two, Bangladesh was 101-3 and still needing 101 more runs to make South Africa bat a second time.
     Opener Mahmudul Hasan was 38 not out and Mushfiqur Rahim was 31 in an unbeaten 42-run stand for the fourth wicket.
     Verreynne shared two vital partnerships — 119 with Wiaan Mulder for the seventh wicket and 66 with Dane Piedt for the ninth. He was the last batter out after hitting eight fours and two sixes in his 144-ball knock. Mulder made 54 off 112 and Piedt scored 32 off 87.
     South Africa started the day ahead by only 140-6 and was in danger of being bowled out without a significant lead as the Bangladesh spinners continued enjoying turn and bounce since the day one evening session.
     But, Verreynne and Mulder batted resolutely to quell the tension. They played sweep and reverse sweep shots perfectly to astutely deal with the spinners and take control.
     Verreynne raised his fourth fifty from 67 balls by sweeping Taijul Islam to short square leg and took on the other spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Naeem Hasan. Mulder reverse-swept off-spinner Nayeem for four through third man to reach his maiden half-century off 105 balls.
     As the partnership grew stronger, pacer Hasan Mahmud gave the side some respite with two wickets in consecutive deliveries. He had Mulder caught by Shadman Islam at wide slip with a back-of-length delivery and clean-bowled Keshav Maharaj for a duck.
     Bangladesh looked to wrap up the innings with South Africa ahead by 121 runs. But, Piedt gave Verreynne ample support to rotate the scoreboard rapidly and lift the lead past 200.
     Verreynne brought up his century off 134 balls, sweeping Taijul powerfully through deep square leg for a single. Miraz, who took 2-63, broke through with the wicket of Piedt via leg before.
     Verreynne hit two sixes off Miraz before the bowler got the better of him to finally close South Africa's innings. Hasan Mahmud took 3-66 while Taijul couldn't add any wickets to his overnight tally and finished with 5-93.
     Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took two wickets in three balls to reduce Bangladesh to 4-2 in the third over.
     Mahmudul Hasan and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto resisted to add 55 runs before Keshav Maharaj dismissed the latter for 23. Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim, however, reached stumps without further trouble. (AP) AYG

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)