Rabada wreaks havoc on Bangladesh's line-up as visitors maintain dominance

Mominul Haque's impressive 20th Test fifty, along with an outstanding 89-run ninth-wicket partnership with Taijul Islam, prevented South Africa from making further inroads after initially breaking through Bangladesh's line-up early on the third morning. Despite a shaky start that saw Bangladesh struggling at 48 for 8, Kagiso Rabada, who had recently reclaimed the top spot in the Test bowling rankings, managed to secure his second five-for of the series.

Rabada's average of 7.78 so far is the best, among all South Africans, in a series in which a bowler has taken a minimum of ten wickets. He currently has 14 wickets across the two matches.

His efficacy remains unmatched and the only other bowler to take a wicket in the session was Dane Paterson. Mushfiqur Rahim gifted a catch to Tony de Zorzi at square leg to depart for a second-ball duck, in the middle of a major collapse. Mushfiqur was the second of four batters dismissed in the space of 12 balls as Bangladesh's wickets fell in fast-forward.

Things started sedately and it took 23 balls before South Africa made the first incision. Rabada had Bangladesh's captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in two minds with a ball that spat up off the surface. He was unsure whether to drive or block and got an edge through to Kyle Verreynne. Four balls later, Mushfiqur Rahim was dismissed. And in the over after that, Rabada took two wickets in three balls: first Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who followed a ball that moved away and was caught behind, and then when debutant Mahidul Islam shouldered arms to a delivery that struck him on the knee roll. That gave Rabada his second five-for in as many Tests, and second in the subcontinent.

South Africa introduced the spin of Keshav Maharaj six overs into the morning and Mominul took the fight to him. He took ten runs off two deliveries to take Bangladesh over 50 and avoid being dismissed for one of their three lowest totals in Test cricket. When Rabada was taken off, an over later, Bangladesh could relax a touch even though South Africa appealed for almost anything.

Maharaj reviewed two lbw appeals against Taijul. The first was clipping leg but was upheld on umpire's call, and the impact was outside off on the second. He finally had an lbw decision go his way when Langton Rusere gave Mominul out when he missed a sweep but Mominul reviewed immediately and UltraEdge showed an under-edge. Mominul was on 37 at the time. He brought up fifty of 76 balls off Maharaj and South Africa thought they had him caught at leg slip later in the over. However, replays showed the ball came off the flap of his front pad.

Rabada was brought back 15 minutes before lunch and immediately thought he had a sixth. Mominul appeared to be snaffled down the leg side but Rabada had overstepped. Mominul's response was to drive Rabada's next ball for four. Left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Senuran Muthusamy was given his first bowl five minutes before lunch and started with a half-volley which Mominul eased past mid-off for four. He pulled Rabada through midwicket to enter the 70s and looks well set. Bangladesh still need 238 more runs if they are to avoid the follow-on.