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SOUTH AFRICA 248 (83.4 OVERS)1ST INNINGS
- Faf du Plessis48 (122)
- Temba Bavuma54 (108)
- Mustafizur Rahman4/37 (17.4)
- Jubair Hossain3/53 (14)
BANGLADESH 326 (116.1 OVERS)1ST INNINGS
- Mahmudullah67 (138)
- Tamim Iqbal57 (129)
- Dale Steyn3/78 (22.1)
- Simon Harmer3/105 (35)
SOUTH AFRICA 61/0 (21.1 OVERS)2ND INNINGS
- Dean Elgar*28 (56)
- Stiaan van Zyl*33 (71)
- Mahmudullah0/0 (1)
- Taijul Islam0/4 (2)
Commentator: Deivarayan Muthu
12pm: Play has been called off. Another day has been washed out without a ball being bowled. Another rain-hit Test has petered out to a tame draw in Bangladesh. What if the Test was not played during the monsoon?
Do come back for the second Test in Mirpur, where showers have been forecast for all five days too. Until next time, ta, ta.
Presentation:
Hashim Amla, South Africa captain: It has been a good Test, actually. We had around three days and it has been an up-and-down Test. It was evenly poised going into the final day. Temba batted exceptionally well. Whoever gets in have to score big. Both teams fought pretty well but rain had the last say. I think Steyn, Morne and Philander bowled exceptionally well and with a lot of heart. Simon Harmer did a great job on a placid wicket. We have spent around 10 days in Chittagong and most of the guys have enjoyed it and time to move to Dhaka for the last leg of the tour.
Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh captain: There are some positives out of this match. We bowled them out, we got a lead. Liton and Mustafiz did well. Shakib chipped in and so did Mahmudullah. Although Shahid was unlucky, he bowled well and Mustafiz is a revelation. When you are playing the No.1 Test side you will have to play really well.
Mustafizur Rahman is the first player to bag a Man-of-the-Match award on debut in both Tests and ODIs.
There are exactly 100 players who have won an MoM award on Test or ODI debut. Mustafizur Rahman is the only player to win on both debuts.
— Bishen Jeswant (@bishen_jeswant) July 25, 2015
Aiser: "This is Bangladesh's first draw v South Africa."
zia: "@ Aiser, true this is first draw between Bangladesh and SA. But, Bangladesh have made a lot of progress."
11:50am: Heavy rain has reduced to a teeny weeny drizzle. One of the additional covers have been removed. But the outfield is still heavily waterlogged.
11:40am: Hmm, the first session has been washed out, again. Our man from the ground, Isam, says that the rain has gotten lighter and there are some groundstaff milling around the covers. The umpires, though, haven't arrived at the ground.
10:50am: It is still raining in Chittagong (what else?)
Bangladesh at the 2015 World Cup or South Africa at the 1999 World Cup? What's your all-time favourite team kit? You can vote here.
Charbel: "Forecast looks a little more promising in Mirpur from Thursday onwards. Hopefully we get a full, competitive game there!"
tamim: "Anyway Bangladesh will get a moral victory. They secured lead in the first innings."
Rabbul: "So last 4 Tests Bangladesh played, 3 Tests have finished in draw. Is it going good for BD?"
Dada Shakil: "Bangladesh can arrange a swimming competition."
10am: Aftab Ahmed, who hit the winning runs in Bangladesh's famous Cardiff win, is now teaching Chittagong's next generation the 'natural game', as Isam explores.
A roar emanates from inside the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium as kids in the nearby Chittagong Divisional Sports Association ground learn how to call for high catches and take a quick single. One of the coaches instructing a group of boys is a man who knew a thing or two about drumming up a crowd into such a roar.Aftab Ahmed, the former Bangladesh batsman, is quietly going about his job. Bearded and with his eyes hidden behind modern reflective sunglasses, he isn't easily recognisable. He doesn't want to be recognised either.
9:30am: It looks like Dale Steyn will have to spend another day playing up with Rues and nutmegging in the rain.
nick: "A bowler named Steyn was bored by the rain and left out to play football with kids despite the rain. He is a hero."
imran: "And Muthu will also have a chilled out day."---- Hahaha
abir: "Yesterday, I heard Steyn played football with the local kids in the street. So lets start a football match. How about that?"
9:20am: ''If rain refuses to relent, call-off likely by 1:00pm,'' says our correspondent Mohammad Isam.
GM: "From Canada, almost midnight, is it still raining in Chittagong?" Yes, rain, rain, rain. Nothing new to report.
9:10am: While the players are still chilling in their hotels, the umpires are likely to reach the ground by around 11:30am for a formal inspection.
Zeeshan Mahmud: "I believe this Test will restart soon. Then again Charles VI of France believed he was made of glass."
9:00am Good morning and welcome to ESPNcricinfo's raindrop-by-raindrop coverage of the final day in Chittagong. The game has been teleported to Earth 2.0.
Rain continues to lash Chittagong and the curator says that it will take at least an hour to get the ground ready once the rain stops.
No change in weather. Raining outside. Fifth day of #BANvSA 1st test also under threat pic.twitter.com/VRx5VPiP4q
— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) July 25, 2015
SRN: "This is definitely a draw. Not enough time for Bangladesh to bowl out SA and chase the target down. It won't even be a full day today. Pity, this could have been a thrilling game at the end."
Michael: "Well Muthu, you know the question, right?"
1:35pm: Rain has the final say. The fourth day has been washed out. Hopefully, the weather improves tomorrow. Ciao then.
Aje : "Any chances of starting today???" --- Nope. All over for the day.
12:55pm: "Some Bangladesh players have arrived at the ground. They are having lunch right now and around 1.15pm, they will go for Juma'a prayers near the ground," the team's media manager told Isam.
The solitary Test between India and Bangladesh was also marred by the monsoon rains. Archive: Why the Bangladesh tour was scheduled for wet June
Dipendra Shrest: "Can't we call some minions to stop the rain? :P"
Brett: "For the record, it is also raining in Johannesburg which is pretty strange for this time of year. No use switching the game to here."
12:50pm: There's no stopping the rain in Chittagong. Meanwhile, Dale Steyn has something to say:
Rain.
Lame
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) July 24, 2015
12:15pm: The second session should have begun by now, but rain continues to lash Chittagong.
Hlrelg: "Relentless Rain, Steyn on 399 test wickets. This would be a perfect time to watch some of his best bowling.
And here are the statistical highlights from the third day.
Manu Chawla: "Can we shift to any other ground and start the game? Pleeeaaaseee!!!"
Jubair: "well, talking about another planet - i hear keplar-452b is a good place for a cricket match around this time of the year..if not too inconvenient, lets shift the match there.."
Anfaz: "Guys, Pack the Bags. We will play in other planet." -- Chant this rain-stopping spell and see if it works. Black magic, worth a try.
Oh, Dragons Of Great Water Power
Ease Your Flow This Desperate Hour
Save Mine Most Dear,
Oh, Mighty Dragons,
Take The rains From Here
Let The Sun Shine Here.
11:30am Alright. It is still raining, so much so that the players haven't left their hotels yet. The first session has been washed out.
Jamy: "What is the weather forecast on Mars?" --- Hmm, I hope it is not raining there.
Avash: "Any idea if or when play will start today ?" - Nah, we are all waiting on it.
Prashant: "It is so irritating to see rain interrupting such kind of a game. Exciting last 2 days were on the cards. I hate you Rain!!!!"
Sharif: "Oh dear, how on earth I had forgot about Tareq Aziz, Ehsanul Haque and Zahid Razzak!!!! Didn't have any idea about Shaheedur Rahman though. Thanks guys"
Shams: "How disciplined has been the bowling in the first three days: no wides from either team."
10:45am: Rain refuses to relent in Chittagong. The first session is all set to be washed out. By the way, can you figure out how many players born in Chittagong have played for Bangladesh?
Isam brings out the list... Chittagong players in international cricket: Nazimuddin, Tamim Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Nafees Iqbal, Ehsanul Haque, Tareq Aziz, Akram Khan, Zahid Razzak, Minhajul Abedin, Nurul Abedin, Shaheedur Rahman.
Nazimuddin was the last to make his international debut (2011)
Hey, Sharif, Faisal Hossain played FC cricket for Chittagong. He is from Comilla
Sharif: "Tamim Iqbal and his brother Nafees, Aftab Ahmed, Akram Khan, Minhajul Abedin, Faisal Hossain, Nurul Abedin have played for Bangladesh, are from Chittagong"
rahul: "Tamim and Nafees Iqbal."
Abir: "Quite a few players.... From my short memory... Akram khan, Nafees Iqbal, Tamim, Aftab "
Sharif: "Nazimuddin, Mominul Haque (Cox's Bazar)"
10:10am "If it was possible and it is, the rain has gotten heavier," says Isam.
Al Amin: "Is the rain still on??" --- Yes. Rain, rain, rain..
A strong showing by BAN (& rain) have ensured that this Test will have a 5th day. No Test b/w SA & BAN has previously gone into the 5th day
— Bishen Jeswant (@bishen_jeswant) July 24, 2015
9:20am: The rain is intense. Heavy puddles of water on the covers. The forecast for the rest of the day is also bleak.
While it rains, why not look back at our photo feature: Wet, wet, wet...
The Rock: "How bad is the rain?
9:15am: A steady start from Stiaan and Elgar had helped the visitors trim Bangladesh's first-innings lead to 17 before bad light forced stumps on the third day. There hasn't been much assistance for the bowlers and weather hasn't made their jobs any easier, as Firdose Moonda explores.
Hasan: "An exciting end on the cards....hope it does not get ruined by rain"
Bangladesh were ushered to their biggest first-innings lead (when batting second in a Test) by Shakib and Liton. "Shakib shepherded Liton along the way, but the youngster may have to do the same on his own, very soon," writes Isam.
9:05am: South Africa tugged. Bangladesh tugged. Rain tugged. Repeat. This leaves the first Test evenly poised. And rain has had the first say on the fourth day. It is pretty heavy, the teams haven't left their hotels yet, and we won't have a prompt start, says our correspondent, Mohammad Isam.
ZACS curator Zahid Reza posted the photo at 7:15am. Heavy rain since 3am. Unlikely timely start on 4th day pic.twitter.com/T0dQ3mD3lu
— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) July 24, 2015
Khasru: "Its midnight in Canada, disappointed to see the forecast, 100 Percent rain predicted. Is it raining now in Chittagong?" -- Yes, proper rain.
4:55pm Play has been called off for the day. Stiaan and Elgar weathered the new ball and all but wiped off the deficit. Elgar was the more attacking of the openers; he stepped out and tonked a couple of fours over midwicket. Can the openers push on tomorrow? Or will Bangladesh make inroads? Do come back for the fourth day. Until then, goodbye and good luck.
Mike:" Any idea of what the forecast is like for the next two days?" -- It does not look all that promising.
4:40pm: It is steadily drizzling in Chittagong.
werner: "@David...maybe closer to SA 26, Rain 50, Ban 24"
4:20pm The light meter is out and the players go off. The covers are being laid. No rain, though.
David: "At the end of day 3 we see a great test match unfolding. Tug of war at the moment between these two. Hard to say who's got their noses in front...but should these 2 knock off the deficit, early tomorrow, and with Bangladesh batting last...one would say that SA is 51 - Bangladesh 49.
david: "exact same time as yesterday.. at least the weather is consistent.. "
Mahfuz: "where are the flood lights???" -- Floodlights on but it has gone really gloomy, almost apocalyptic
END OF OVER:21 | 4 Runs | SA: 60/0
- Stiaan van Zyl33 (71b)
- Dean Elgar27 (55b)
- Mustafizur Rahman5-0-21-0
- Jubair Hossain2-1-4-0
4:20pm: It has gone pretty dark in Chittagong. Ominous signs.
Incoming! Getting dark at ZACS again. Windy too pic.twitter.com/W6zzTZjjNQ
— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) July 23, 2015
Arshadur Rahman: "In the 4 tests held in 2015 prior the ongoing one, Shakib took 7 wickets at an average of 70.57 runs per wicket. However, in 16 tests prior that he had 7 five-wicket hauls. Bangladesh badly needs him to get back to his bowling form. Let tomorrow be that day."
Match Coverage
All Match NewsWe were ahead of the game - Mushfiqur
Mushfiqur Rahim said South Africa could have crumbled under the pressure of scoring quickly if play had been possible on the last two days of the Chittagong Test
'Game was poised in our favour' - Amla
Bangladesh may receive most of the plaudits for their plucky performance for most of the three days of the drawn first Test but Hashim Amla believes that South Africa were in pole position when the weather intervened
Mushfiqur applauds bowlers' toil
Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim said he was surprised by the discipline of seamer Mohammad Shahid, and praised Mustafizur Rahman's ability to learn quickly
Spirited Bangladesh take giant strides
Rain was a regular occurrence in Chittagong, but Bangladesh still had plenty of positives to take away, none more so than proving to be more than a match for South Africa
Rain-hit Test ends in tame draw
The first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa ended in a tame draw after rain washed out the last two days without a ball being bowled