Bangladesh v South Africa, 1st Tes, Day 3 - .......And a fifty for Liton Kumar Das!

Litton Kumar Das showed his capabilities as a Test batsman today and I have hardly seen any Bangladeshi batsman to time the ball so perfectly like him. Another important criteria which will help Litton to flourish more in the future is his astute footwork, focus and the ability to pick the length quicker than his teammates. This boy is a blessing for Bangladesh cricket and will go a long way. In the upcoming days, it is expected that he will bat higher up the order. In fact, in the fourth innings, I wish to see him come out to bat at number five.

Litton has made me proud!

The South African openers’ confidence started to grow gradually and wiped off the deficit. At first, they looked a bit shaky, but as soon as they weathered off the new ball, they dominated the Bangladeshi bowlers in style and they must thank the lack of discipline of the Bangladeshi bowlers.

Mushfiqur Rahim set the right field for his two strike bowlers – Mustafiz and Shakib, but you can never expect breakthroughs when you discover them bowling too short, wide-of-the-off-stump and more on the middle-and-leg-stump line. Mustafiz started off with a brilliant ball, but as time passed, he lost his vigor and sizzle while Shakib’s inconsistent line-and-length hurt Mushfiq and Bangladesh big time. Only Mohammad Shahid bowled with a nagging line and incisive length, but he is more of a pressure creating bowler and not a wicket taker. It’s the duty of the strike bowlers to utilize the pressure created by such bowlers.

Stiaan van Zyl was watchful and patient, but Dean Elgar looked in an attacking mood. Bangladesh bowlers need to rediscover their vim on day 4 otherwise, they might lose the advantage gained in this Test match.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar