Bangladesh vs. South Africa, 1st Test: Day 1 Takeaways

At the end of the first day of the first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa in Chittagong, the hosts are well on top and looking strong.

The Proteas were bowled out for 248, and at stumps the home side were 7-0, leaving themselves in a strong position for the second day and their reply.

It was a day filled with highlights for the Bangladeshis, who took advantage of a South African batting collapse. Meanwhile, the visitors find themselves behind even at this early stage and will need to recover well in the subsequent days to have a chance at victory.

With Day 1 now over, let’s examine some takeaways from play in Chittagong.

Mustafizur Rahman has a debut to remember

MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/Getty Images

If Bangladesh seamer Mustafizur Rahman was nervous on his debut at 19 years of age, he did not show it, as he finished with figures of 4-37 in 17.4 overs.

The left-armer had a memorable 14th over, as he took three wickets in four balls to rip the heart out of South Africa’s middle and lower order.

He first removed the dangerous Hashim Amla for his first Test wicket, as he had the Proteas captain caught behind by wicket-keeper Liton Das. Then with his next ball, Rahman trapped JP Duminy leg before wicket to leave the visitors reeling on 173-5.

To complete a memorable over, Quinton de Kock followed just two balls later, capping off a remarkable start to Rahman’s Test career. In a superb conclusion, he then finished off South Africa’s innings by removing top scorer Temba Bavuma to finish a great first-innings debut.

If he can do the same in the second innings, it would be superb both for Rahman and his side.

South Africa experience worrying batting collapse

MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/Getty Images

Within and beyond that three-wicket over from Rahman, South Africa experienced a worrying and rare batting collapse that hints at wider problems.

Without AB de Villiers but still with some talented players at their disposal, the Proteas would have wanted far more than 248 all out, having chosen to bat first.

All their top four were guilty of getting starts but then getting out when looking set, and only Bavuma seemed capable of getting a big score.

Even he was dismissed for 54, and it was more worrying still that Duminy and De Kock fell so quickly and so cheaply to leave the tail exposed.

A total of 248 may still be a good one, but it will be hard to say until Bangladesh have completed their first innings. It definitely has not put them in a good position though, and the away side will need their bowler to be on top form to defend it effectively.

Bangladesh must apply themselves with the bat

At the end of the day, Bangladesh were seven without loss, having negotiated a tricky session of two overs at the finish.

They will need to work hard for their runs against a potent South African bowling attack, especially the trio of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel.

If their openers can set a good platform and the middle order can capitalize, there is no reason why the hosts cannot surge into a big lead by the end of tomorrow. Runs may well be at a premium against such a strong battery of pacemen, so they will need to concentrate well and take advantage of loose balls if possible.