Taijul shines as Bangladesh restrict SA to 140/6 after batters falter

At stumps, South Africa held a comfortable lead at 140 for six, with Wiaan Mulder and Kyle Verreynne not out on 17 and 18, respectively.

Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat but their decision backfired as four of their top six batsmen failed to reach double figures. Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy managed to top-score with 30 runs on a pitch that proved challenging for batters. 

South Africa's bowlers, led by Kagiso Rabada, Wiaan Mulder, and Keshav Maharaj, each claimed three wickets, dismantling the Bangladeshi batting order.

The collapse began when Rabada bowled Mushfiqur Rahim for 11, marking his 300th Test wicket, a milestone achieved in just 11,817 balls�making him the fastest to reach the landmark, surpassing Waqar Younis's previous record. Rabada quickly followed up with Litton Das's wicket for just one run, pushing Bangladesh to a precarious 40 for four before they succumbed to 106.

In the second innings, Bangladesh's Hasan Mahmud provided an early breakthrough by dismissing South African captain Aiden Markram for six. However, it was Taijul Islam who turned the tide for Bangladesh, claiming five wickets and becoming only the second Bangladeshi to achieve 200 Test wickets, following Shakib Al Hasan.

Taijul's key dismissals included Tristan Stubbs (23) and David Bedingham (11), with his wickets sparking a South African collapse. He also took two wickets in the 28th over, catching Tony de Zorzi at short leg and clean-bowling debutant Matthew Breetzke for a duck.

This Test match marks the first international cricket fixture in Bangladesh since a significant political upheaval in August, which saw the ousting of long-time premier Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh is currently without the services of Shakib Al Hasan, who withdrew due to security concerns amidst ongoing unrest.

Heavy security surrounded the stadium following clashes between Shakib's supporters and protestors, highlighting the tense atmosphere surrounding this match. Despite the challenges, Taijul's performance provided a glimmer of hope for the home side as they aim to bounce back in the following days.