In Mirpur, Bangladesh, Mehidy Hasan played a key role in bolstering his team’s hopes as they reached 201-6, closing in just a run behind South Africa by the lunch break on Day 3 of the inaugural Test match on Wednesday.

Kagiso Rabada showcased his talents with impressive figures of 4-35, while Keshav Maharaj further complicated matters for Bangladesh by claiming three quick wickets in just a span of 22 deliveries, leaving the hosts teetering at 112-6 and at risk of facing an innings defeat.

However, Mehidy, with stalwart support from debutant Jaker Ali, managed to stabilize the innings and provided the team with a fighting chance to force South Africa into batting again.

At lunch, Mehidy was unbeaten on 55 while Jaker contributed a solid 30, forming an important unbroken partnership worth 89 runs for the seventh wicket.

Rabada was notably effective in exploiting the early moisture on the pitch when Bangladesh resumed their innings at 101-3, claiming two wickets in just three deliveries within the fourth over of the day.

Opener Mahmudul Hasan fell victim to an edged delivery, dismissed at first slip after being deceived by an unexpected bounce, having scored 40 runs off 92 balls.

Mushfiqur Rahim, who made history the previous day by becoming the first Bangladesh batter to reach 6,000 Test runs, suffered a setback due to inadequate foot movement, as Rabada’s fuller delivery zipped through, rattling the stumps.

Mushfiqur managed to add only two runs to his overnight score, finishing with 33 runs.