South Africa Defeated Bangladesh by an Innings and 129 Runs in the First Test

South Africa pulled off a big-margin victory over Bangladesh in the first of the first of the two-test series at the OUTsurance Oval stadium, Bloemfontein. South Africa defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 129 runs as Bangladesh got all out for 159 in the second innings on the fourth day. Earlier, Bangladesh got all out for 153 in the first innings, chasing South Africa’s first innings total of 441. South African captain Graeme Smith was given man of the match award for his scintillating innings of 157.

After humiliating batting performance in the first innings, it was expected that Bangladeshi batsmen would be able to show much more resistance in the second innings, but there was no change in their form. Highest 43 runs came from middle order batsman Mehrab Hossain jnr who remained not out till the end of the innings. First innings’ highest scorer Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored 48 in the first innings, failed to shine in the second innings as he got run out for a duck. South African pacer Dale Steyn picked up 5 wickets of Bangladesh’s second innings. The second and last test of the series will kick off from 26 November 2008.