Half-centuries by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Jaker Ali helped Bangladesh into an 81-run lead over South Africa before bad light brought an early finish to day three of the first Test on Wednesday. The hosts were 283-7 in Mirpur when the umpires called stumps about an hour before the scheduled finish, with Mehidy on 87 and Nayeem Hasan on 16.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bangladesh spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed said he believed his side could still snatch its first ever Test win against the visitors.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We have to bat as long as we can, score consistently, and get whatever lead we can," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"When we can start believing, we can come back and we fight," he added. "When you don't give up, the opposition also respects you."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
South Africa only bowled five overs in the last session and fewer than 58 overs were played through the day after a rain interruption cut the second session short.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mehidy and debutant Jaker added 138 runs for the seventh wicket to save Bangladesh from an innings defeat after they resumed at 101-3, chasing down South Africa's 202-run first-innings lead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jaker was eventually trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj for 58.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Obviously Bangladesh has done really well today. Conditions got a little bit better, if I'm honest, with a slightly used ball," Maharaj said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"But I think we're still ahead," he added. "Bangladesh have a lead and we've got three wickets more to go. We can restrict them as much as possible, but I still feel we'll be in the bouncing seat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the morning, South African pace bowler Kagiso Rabada took advantage of overcast conditions to take two wickets in three balls during the fifth over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mahmudul Hasan Joy departed after making 40 when his attempted drive found a thick edge to first slip, where David Bedingham took the catch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rabada's fourth wicket of the innings came two balls later as he sent Mushfiqur Rahim's middle stump cartwheeling out of the ground with a full delivery that nipped back. The right-hander made 33.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Wicketkeeper Litton Das followed for just seven as he edged a sharply turning delivery from Maharaj to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne and the dismissal was confirmed as caught on review, after an initial shout for lbw.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
South Africa scored 308 in their first innings, powered by Verreynne's second Test century, in reply to Bangladesh's 106 all out on the first day.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bangladesh have never won a Test against South Africa.<\/p>\r\n\r\n