Hridoy 137 and Rabada 5-51 headline Day 1 at Wanderers Test

At the iconic Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on November 15, Bangladesh reached 327 for 6 on the opening day of the first Test against South Africa, part of the ICC World Test Championship series. The day belonged to two contrasting performances: a composed century from Towhid Hridoy and a five-wicket haul from Kagiso Rabada that kept South Africa in the contest throughout.

Hridoy’s 137, compiled off 227 deliveries and including 14 fours, was the centrepiece of Bangladesh’s recovery after a difficult start. He reached his hundred after drinks in the final session, going on to post his highest score of the day before Marco Jansen dismissed him leg before wicket off a full toss. Litton Das remained unbeaten on 92 at the close, having shared a 206-run sixth-wicket stand with Hridoy, the highest partnership by any Bangladesh pair against South Africa for any wicket.

How did Bangladesh recover from 22/3?

Rabada struck early and repeatedly to reduce Bangladesh to 22 for 3 inside the first hour, removing Tanzid Hasan Tamim for 67 among his victims. Mushfiqur Rahim fell for a first-ball duck just before lunch, also off Rabada’s bowling, leaving Bangladesh in a precarious position at the interval. Simon Harmer also contributed to the South African bowling effort as the hosts looked to press their advantage.

From that position, Hridoy and Litton rebuilt with patience and precision. Their 206-run sixth-wicket stand shifted the momentum firmly in Bangladesh’s favour across the middle and final sessions. Tanzid’s 67 at the top of the order had provided some foundation before the top-order collapse, and Hridoy’s century ensured Bangladesh posted a competitive total on a ground where visiting sides have historically struggled.

What does Rabada’s five-for mean for his career record?

Rabada’s 5-51 was his 18th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, a return that moved him level with Makhaya Ntini on South Africa’s all-time list for five-fors. That placed him joint third among South African bowlers, behind Dale Steyn, who leads with 26, and Allan Donald, who took 20. The milestone underlines Rabada’s standing as one of South Africa’s most prolific Test wicket-takers despite Bangladesh’s strong recovery through Hridoy and Litton.

The first Test at the Wanderers is scheduled to run from November 15 to 19, 2026, with South Africa yet to bat as the day concluded at 327 for 6. Bangladesh’s innings remains open, with Litton unbeaten on 92 and the lower order still to come. The series forms part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle.

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