Chattogram, October 31, 2024- South Africa achieved a resounding victory over Bangladesh, winning by an innings and 273 runs to sweep the series 2-0. This marks South Africa’s first series win in Asia in a decade, and the third-largest winning margin by an away team in Asia, surpassed only by West Indies’ victories over India (by an innings and 336 runs) at Eden Gardens in 1958 and Bangladesh (by an innings and 310 runs) in Dhaka in 2002.
Opting to bat first on a favourable pitch, South African captain Aiden Markram saw his team capitalize on ideal conditions. Centuries from Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, and Wiaan Mulder, coupled with fifties by Bedingham and Muthusamy, pushed South Africa to a massive first-innings total of 575/6 declared. Notably, this match marked the first time in South African Test history that three players scored centuries in a single innings in Asia, a feat last achieved by the Proteas against Bangladesh in 2017 in Bloemfontein. South Africa’s 575 is also their first 500-plus total in an Asian Test since 2013 against Pakistan in Dubai.
Bangladesh struggled in their reply. South Africa’s pace attack struck early, reducing the hosts to 48/8 by the morning of Day 3. Former captain Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam provided some resistance, building a ninth-wicket partnership of over 100 runs. However, Mominul’s dismissal, trapped lbw by Senuran Muthusamy, ended their resilience. Kagiso Rabada emerged as the standout bowler, taking five wickets in Bangladesh’s first innings total of 159.
With a 400-plus lead, South Africa enforced the follow-on, and the left-arm spin duo of Muthusamy and Keshav Maharaj dismantled Bangladesh in the second innings. Maharaj claimed five wickets, and Muthusamy added four, restricting Bangladesh to 143 and sealing the win within three days. This emphatic victory secures a historic series win for South Africa in Asia, underscoring their dominance throughout the tour.
