1st Test: Bangladesh's Mahmudul defies South Africa and makes milestone century

South Africa's bowlers for more than seven hours and kept Bangladesh in touch with the hosts on the third day of the first Test at Kingsmead on Saturday. Mahmudul became the first Bangladesh batsman to score a Test century against South Africa as he made 137 in a total of 298. South Africa stretched their first innings lead of 69 by six runs without losing a wicket before bad light stopped play.

Opening batsman Mahmudul, 21, was unruffled in only his third Test match as he calmly picked the right balls to score from. It took him six hours and 269 balls to reach his hundred and he continued to bat patiently until the eighth wicket fell. Then he unleashed a flurry of strokes, hitting off-spinner Simon Harmer for a six and a four and a single in one over, then striking four fours in the next over from Wiaan Mulder.

He was last man out, caught at slip off fast bowler Lizaad Williams after an innings lasting 443 minutes. He faced 326 balls and hit 14 fours and two sixes. Mahmudul shared useful parnerships of 82 with Liton Das (41), 33 with Yasir Ali (22) and 51 with Mehidy Hasan (29) as Bangladesh kept South Africa in the field for most of the day.

It did not seem likely to be a long day for South Africa when nightwatchman Taskin Ahmed was caught at gully off Williams with only three runs added to the overnight total of 98 for four. But mainly due to Mahmudul another 197 runs were added, leaving minimal time for South Africa to build on their lead before play was brought to an early finish. Off-spinner Simon Harmer took four for 103 but was unable to add to his wicket haul after taking the first four wickets on Friday.