The industry of Mahmudullah, Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes was essential to Bangladesh's survival on the second day in Chittagong, but neither the openers nor the day's highest scorer made it through to stumps as the home side remained 69 runs behind South Africa's 248 with six wickets in hand.
The good news for Bangladesh was that none of these three batsmen looked uncomfortable against one of the world's best bowling attacks. The problem, however, particularly with Imrul and Tamim, was that they were dismissed by part-time bowlers after dealing adeptly with the first spells of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel.
Batsmen pride themselves on the ability to leave the ball and there were plenty of occasions for the Bangladesh openers to resist flashing at deliveries that were slightly wide. Tamim's only show of intent was when he struck back-to-back boundaries, one through mid-on and the next past covers. That there were no flashy square-cuts in a Tamim innings that lasted nearly four hours was a marvel in itself. He made 57 off 129 balls but as many of his 50-plus innings since October 2013 have shown, this is a glimpse of a new Tamim, one who is ready to give up short-term glory for durability.
Imrul's form has also been one of the positives for Bangladesh's Test side. He has three hundreds since February last year and despite having a woeful World Cup campaign, he remained one of the batsmen whose Test form did not suffer much. His 26 had the promise of much more but he was the first to fall, stumped down the leg side. Stiaan van Zyl's gentle pace earned him his second Test scalp, while Tamim became Elgar's fifth victim.
While Mahmudullah said the openers' dismissals were not due to lack of concentration, South Africa bowling coach Charl Langeveldt felt that it was the result of the pressure created by their four main bowlers.
"Stiaan [van Zyl] and [Dean] Elgar are part-timers so it is rewarding," Langeveldt said. "If they do get wickets, it does help us. But it was the pressure that the other guys, the four main bowlers, put on the batsmen. Sometimes you bring on a part-timer and he gets the wickets."
Mahmudullah, who made 67 in more than three hours, was out to a Philander delivery that slanted into him as he tried to flick it. He had started off coolly, with five early boundaries, but between the 37th and 46th overs he made just six runs. The South African bowlers put him under a lot of pressure again and he took 26 balls to move from 40 to 53. After passing 50, Mahmudullah struck three more fours but he rued his late dismissal - play was possible for only five more deliveries because of rain.
"I don't really think much about it. I try to bat normally," Mahudullah said. "I know they are the No. 1 team in the world. I think they have the best bowling attack at the moment. We knew scoring runs wouldn't be easy. We have to bat carefully. I think it was a wise decision to wait for the bad balls.
"I was quite disappointed. I was trying, plus I could sense that rain was around. I wanted to stay not out and start anew on day three. I felt well while batting. The start wasn't easy but as the innings progressed, I was finding rhythm. I was thinking that there was a chance for a big innings today."
During a gritty innings that lasted 192 minutes, Mahmudullah's two back-foot punches stood out. He is one of the taller Bangladesh batsmen and to play this shot he stands up higher against the fast bowlers. He did it with great effect at the World Cup in Nelson, Adelaide and Hamilton and credited batting on a granite slab in Dhaka during the pre-tournament training camp.
"It is quite different playing this shot on granite and playing it out in the middle. They were bowling well but the ball wasn't swinging as much. The ball was coming on to the bat. I was planning that when I get in my zone, I will use it properly."
All three batsmen will now sit in the dressing room, two with the knowledge that they got out to part-timers. Mahmudullah will also feel he has unfinished business, but their fight said a lot about the changing nature of Bangladesh's batsmen.