Keshav Maharaj confident that his side will get the win after Bangladesh take an 81-run lead at the end of Day 3.
Keshav Maharaj is confident of South Africa’s chances of taking the series lead in the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh.
South Africa remained in the box seat, though not by a significant margin, despite the hosts mounting a furious comeback in the second half of the third day to stay in the match.
In a rain-soaked third day, Bangladesh overcame the first innings deficit and reached stumps at 283 for 7 thanks to a 138-run partnership between Mehidy Hasan and Jaker Ali for the seventh wicket. The pair joined forces as Bangladesh was collapsing and facing an innings loss. With Jaker out at 58 and Mehidy still undefeated at 87, the hosts now lead by 81 runs.
According to the weather forecast, rain may ruin the next two days because of a depression in the Bay of Bengal, but Maharaj was unaffected by the uncertainty and Bangladesh’s opposition.
“Yeah, obviously Bangladesh has done really well today. Conditions got a little bit better, if I’m honest, with a slightly used ball. But I think we’re still ahead, obviously, Bangladesh have a lead and we’ve got three wickets more to go,” Maharaj told reporters at the Sher-e- Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.
“So obviously if we can restrict them as much as possible, but I still feel we’ll be in the box seat, considering the good work that we did with the batsmen in our first innings,” he said.
“I think yesterday was probably the day that we went a little bit searching, if I’m honest. And then we got the three wickets, and I think Mehidy and Jaker Ali played really well. We threw everything at them, and I don’t think it was a case of us taking our foot off the gas. I think they played really well, and you must give credit towards the batters in that situation,” he said.
“I think when I first saw the wicket, it seemed very much like our Durban wicket that we play on at Kingsmead. It was quite hard. Obviously there’ll be variations of turn as the game goes on, but I think with a little bit of moisture in the air and the constant rolling, it has got a little bit better. Especially once that shine comes off the ball,” he said.
“Look, ideally we’d like to restrict Bangladesh to 100 or below, but it’s important that we start well in the morning and then assess from there,” he added.