SA v BAN | 1st Test | Day 3: Mahmudul Joy's maiden ton leads Tiger's response; South Africa still ahead by 75

Young opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy's counter-attacking hundred led Bangladesh's reply on the third day of the first Test against South Africa.

Starting the day at 4-98, Bangladesh lost night watchman Taskin Ahmed very early, before Mahmudul insinuated a counter-attack against the South African spin-duo of Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj, as they did not allow the spinners to settle down on a surface that was assisting them.

The duo used their feet to brilliant effect, especially Mahmudul, who showcased brilliant footwork against Harmer to hammer him for a four and six in one over.

Liton Das duly assisted Mahmudul as the duo added 82 out of the 85 runs that the visitors scored in the first session. However, they were also lucky in a few instances as the Proteas fielders gave a couple of reprieves to Mahmudul and one to Liton.

The duo ensured that Bangladesh did not lose another wicket in the first session. However, the hosts struck back with the dismissal of Liton Das (41 off 92 deliveries) courtesy of debutant Lizaad Williams.

The dismissal ended an 82-run-stand, which brought Yasir Ali to the middle.

Ali scored a quickfire 37-ball 22 before the 33-run-stand came to an end with the run-out of the former.

Despite losing a couple of quick wickets, Mahmudul went from strength to strength and eventually posted his maiden Test hundred with a cut towards backward point off the bowling of Maharaj.

This wasn't only his maiden Test ton, but it was also the first-ever hundred by a Bangladeshi batsman against the South Africans.

Mehidy Hasan (29 off 81 deliveries) added crucial 51 runs for the 8th wicket before being dismissed by Duanne Oliver.

With wickets regularly falling at the other end, Mahmudul flexed his muscles after getting past his hundred to get some valuable runs for his side.

Hasan was the last Bangladeshi batsman to be dismissed - by Williams - but not before he had taken his side close to the 300-run-mark (298), a score that looked increasingly unlikely on the previous day.

Only four overs were possible in South Africa's innings as inclement weather brought a premature end to the proceedings.

Brief Score:

South Africa 367/10 (121)

Temba Bavuma 93, Dean Elgar 67;

Khaled Ahmed 4/92, Mehidy Hasan 3/94

Bangladesh 298/10 (115.5)

Mahmudul Hasan Joy 137, Liton Das 41;

Simon Harmer 4/103, Lizaad Williams 3/54

South Africa 6/0 (4) in 2nd innings

South lead by 75 runs at the end of Day 3's play.

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