Proteas bloom with record Test win over Bangladesh to secure series

Bangladesh started the day on 38/4 - still 338 runs short of avoiding the follow-on - the Proteas went about their business quickly. Wickets tumbled early thanks to world number one Test bowler Kagiso Rabada. The seamer picked up three wickets in no time, leaving the hosts teetering at 48/8.

Then, not for the first time in this series, an unlikely partnership bloomed for Bangladesh. A stoic Monimul Haque was supported by Taijul Islam and the pair put on a record ninth-wicket partnership for the hosts. Spinner Senuran Muthusamy finally trapped Haque in front, breaking the 103-run stand. Fellow tweaker Keshav Maharaj got the final scalp.

Still a mammoth 416 runs short, Proteas captain Aiden Markram decided to enforce the follow-on, a confident decision given the stifling heat in Chattogram.

The decision was quickly vindicated as Dane Paterson was first to strike, then Muthusamy and Maharaj worked their magic to grab one wicket each and Bangladesh were 29/3. First-innings hero Haque was left to rue his decision to go for a big shot off just his second ball to Maharaj.

Muthusamy struck with the last ball before tea after a rush of blood to the head from Zakir Hasan saw him charge out the crease and miss the ball, leaving Kyle Verreynne to whip off the bails.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shato and Hasan Mahmud provided some resistance, but the Proteas’ spin twins cranked up the pressure. Maharaj would bag the last final three wickets to earn his tenth Test match fiver, with innings figures of 5/59.

In the post-match presentation, Rabada was named Player of the Series for his incredible haul of 14 wickets at an average of just 9.00.

The result keeps the Proteas hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final next year alive. They now prepare for two home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.